New signing Pablo Mari can be a big success with Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, according to Brazil legend Rivaldo.

Pablo Mari with Mikel Arteta (Photo via Twitter / Arsenal)
Pablo Mari with Mikel Arteta (Photo via Twitter / Arsenal)

Rivaldo spoke to the Evening Standard about Pablo Mari this week, and the role he thinks the centre-back can play in the Premier League.

Arsenal signed Mari on loan from Flamengo towards the end of the January transfer window. The Gunners also have an option to buy at the end of the season. The total cost of the deal is around €10m, assuming the club activate the option.

According to Rivaldo, Mari should settle in nicely at the club, so he may well be worth the money.

“I think Pablo Mari will fit in very well at Arsenal and in the Premier League,” Rivaldo said.

“He’s a good player that struggled to impose himself in Europe as a loaned player of Man City for a while. But he really convinced people being part of a great Flamengo team last season.

“He is very complete as a defender – capable of bringing the ball forward when necessary and a threat on set pieces. He has good passing skills as well and I liked what I saw from him.

“In Brazil, everyone has a good opinion about him. He could be a very successful option for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.”

We may not have to wait too long to see the defender in action for the first time. He’s currently in full training with the squad in Dubai, and Arteta suggested he was optimistic about Mari’s chances of involvement against Newcastle next weekend.

The head coach reportedly wanted a left-footed centre-back to fit his system, so let’s hope Mari can make the position his own.