Pablo Mari was straight into the starting lineup for A.C. Monza on Saturday, though they suffered a defeat to Torino.

MONZA, ITALY: Pablo Mari of AC Monza kicks the ball during the Serie A match between AC Monza and Torino FC at Stadio Brianteo on August 13, 2022. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
MONZA, ITALY: Pablo Mari of AC Monza kicks the ball during the Serie A match between AC Monza and Torino FC at Stadio Brianteo on August 13, 2022. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

With the news that Pablo Mari’s loan to A.C. Monza has an obligation to buy if the Serie A side avoid relegation, Arsenal fans will be keeping a close eye on Monza’s results this season.

There was some talk Mari might also have to make a certain number of appearances for the deal to become permanent, so it was significant that he went straight into the Monza starting lineup on Saturday.

The centre-back played the full 90 minutes of the Italian side’s opening league game against Torino, but it didn’t quite go as planned.

Torino scored either side of half-time to give themselves a comfortable 2-0 lead, with a late consolation from Monza not enough to turn things around.

Italian outlet Alfredo Pedulla heaped some of the blame for Monza’s opening goal conceded on Mari, writing that it stemmed from a “defensive mess” by the Arsenal man.

Though that seems harsh, as Mari simply made a necessary tackle that happened to fall to an opponent.

Even so, it was not the ideal debut for the loanee. Torino certainly had too many good chances, and they took all the points with a couple of soft goals.

Mari will hope he just needs time to get settled and up to speed with his new teammates, and that the defensive solidity will come as the season goes on. But at the time of writing, Monza are in the relegation zone.