Mikel Arteta admits he has been ‘surprised’ by Pablo Mari’s ‘attitude and commitment’ since joining Arsenal on loan from Flamengo.
The Spanish defender joined the Gunners during the January transfer window on a loan deal until the end of the season, with Arsenal able to sign him permanently in the summer.
Mari played 45 minutes for Arsenal’s U23 side on Monday in a 2-1 defeat to London rivals Chelsea and Arteta was impressed by his performance.
‘Well, I watched the game but I could not be there for a personal reason,’ Arteta said. ‘But, I was very glad that those two were there to support him.
‘When he joined the club he hadn’t played for a long time and he had a little niggle as well well when he joined us, but his attitude and commitment has been really, really good and highly surprising.
‘He did really well the other day and hopefully we can start to use him soon.’
Arsenal travel to Olympiacos on Thursday night for the first leg of their last-32 clash in the Europa League.
Mari is in contention to feature for the Gunners and has revealed he wants to emulate some of his fellow countrymen who have starred for Arsenal in recent years.
‘There have been some wonderful Spanish players to play for Arsenal,’ Mari told Arsenal’s official website.
‘Fabregas, Cazorla, Reyes… they’re all great Spanish players that have passed through this club. One of those legends that we have with us now is Mikel.
‘He was a very important player for Arsenal and now this is a new project for him as coach, but I think he’s going to repeat what he achieved when he was a player.
‘Personally I look up to him and the career he had at Arsenal. That’s what I’ve been working for all these years.
‘I’d love to be at Arsenal for a long time and I hope to give the Gunners some victories to celebrate again.’
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