Unable to get any game time at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, Pablo Marí knew that he needed to head elsewhere during the transfer window.
A number of clubs were touted as a potential landing spot for the Spaniard, who had, however, made it clear he didn’t want to return to Brazil at this point in his career.
That’s when Udinese came along, offering him a chance to get minutes in a more competitive league, which the centre-back took.
Loaned to the Serie A side for the next six months, Marí kicked off his time in Udine with a win, starting against Torino on Sunday, whom they beat 2-0.
He said: “I haven’t had any luck at Arsenal, but when I’ve been on the pitch, I think I’ve given a very good level. In the end, there comes a point where you have to make decisions.”
His took him to Udinese, but he will return to the Emirates in the summer, where he will likely sit down with Arteta to discuss his future.
Either way, he gets along with the Arsenal manager, whom he rates highly, as he explained to the Spanish station: “Arteta is one of the best managers I’ve come across. He helped me a lot to understand football better. It’s an idea very similar to Guardiola’s, but with its nuances.”
