Arsenal have a brand new signing to get excited about, providing all medical checks are completed without any issues. • •The problem is, for the most part, that most people haven’t heard of Pablo Mari – and probably have no idea what to expect from the man arriving from Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo.
Who is Pablo Mari?
He’s 26, he’s a centre back and he’s 6’3. He’s also from the region of Valencia but came through at Mallorca’s academy and unknown in his homeland (playing twice ever in the top flight), having spent time in England with Manchester City, NAC Breda and most notably with Flamengo in Brazil – where he became the first Spanish-born winner of the Copa Libertadores and faced Liverpool in the Club World Cup final. •
Was Pablo Mari a Key Part of Flamengo’s Success?
Pablo Marí surprised everyone and did very well in Brazil, considering he was playing second division football in Spain.
The 26-year-old defender arrived at Flamengo as an unknown, but he managed to adapt quickly and soon took up a position on the left side of the field – a position that for a long time, Flamengo had struggled to fill with quality.
What Are Mari’s Strengths & Weaknesses?
Marí is a tall, strong defender with good awareness of what’s going on around him. He anticipates and reads the game very well, representing a more classic style of defender.
He possesses a long throw, which is useful, and has generally good distribution with the ball at his feet. But he does have his downsides. He struggles against players with significant pace and those who are able to shift from side-to-side quickly.
That’s not to criticise his agility, but it’s evident that he’s not comfortable with players running at him.
Is There a Well-Known Player in Europe You’d Compare Mari To?
He reminds me a bit of Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, due to his stature and good quality of passing.
Source: 90min.com
