Pablo Mari has picked up an injury early in his loan to A.C. Monza, suffering a muscular issue in the buildup to their match against Napoli.

MONZA, ITALY: Pablo Mari of AC Monza jumps for 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 jumps for 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)

Football-Italia report that Pablo Mari was set to start A.C. Monza’s game against Napoli at the weekend, but he picked up a muscular problem that forced him out of the squad.

Mari had turned up to the game with the squad, but after a problem in the buildup, he dropped out and watched on from the stands.

SOS Fanta report that Mari’s muscle strain will be evaluated in the next few hours to assess the damage.

The timing is frustrating, with Mari only just having made his debut for the Serie A side. Monza lost 4-0 to Napoli in his absence, dropping them down to the bottom of the table.

The centre-back’s loan to Monza has an obligation to buy in the contract, but only if they avoid relegation.

They don’t look likely to do that on current form, and Mari’s injury isn’t going to help the situation.

Pablo Mari Arsenal training
Pablo Mari in training with Arsenal

An optimistic take on the situation would be that Mari withdrawing so soon before the start of the game means it may just have been a precaution.

The Monza staff wouldn’t have had much time to assess him, so we can keep our fingers crossed that their assessment doesn’t show any serious issue.

Monza play Udinese next, on Friday 26th August at 17:30 BST.