Arsenal transfer agreement close to completion and ‘considering offers’ on a further deal

Both Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Pablo Mari seem set to leave Arsenal this season with the former reportedly finalising the details of his loan move to AS Roma.

Under Mikel Arteta, Maitland-Niles has found himself somewhat out of favour, only starting twice in the league in his 11 appearances this season.

The reports, which come from Italian sport outlet Corriere dello Sport have explained that the central midfielder ‘will fly today (Thursday)’ having already undergone his medical examination in London on Wednesday.

Pablo Mari has had almost a worse time at Arsenal this season, making only three appearances, the last of which came in September.

Mari joined on a loan move from Flamengo in January 2020 with his permanent place being made the following summer.

However, the defender has struggled to find a secure spot in Arteta’s squad and, according to Goal’s Raisa Simplicio, could ‘leave the club’ in January with a ‘priority’ of ‘continuing in Europe’.

Arsenal, whose games against both Liverpool and Burnley have had to be postponed, last played on Saturday 1 January when they lost a devastating 2-1 in a controversial match against Manchester City.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles moves to AS Roma

It was not a huge decision for Maitland-Niles to take the decision to move on loan to AS Roma following his limited match time this season and when he does make that move to Italy, he shall be competing for his spot with Dutch player Rick Karsdorp, a challenge which Sports Witness has claimed he is up for.

The reports in Corriere della Sport have also claimed that the Italian club will pay ‘slightly higher than half of what he took at Arsenal’, which would be around €1.5m.

The Italian site claims that the plan would be for Maitland-Niles to play against Juventus on Sunday 9 January and join the club on a six month loan with ‘the eventual redemption to be discussed during the season’.

Maitland-Niles started out his early career with the Gunners before being sent on loan to both Ipswich Town and West Bromwich Albion. The defender and midfielder is known for his versatility with pace and energy, being able to play as a winger, central midfielder, full-back and wing-back.

The former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger described the 24-year-old as a ‘good defender’ and that ‘he has that sense of one against one’ and ‘has very quick recovery runs’.

What are the fans saying?

@MagicalMonke tweeted “Turn my boy insta super star Jose.”

While @TheDonAmad tweeted “Arsenal are finished bud.”

Where will Pablo Mari go?

It has become increasingly clear that Pablo Mari has not been part of Arteta’s long term plans for the Gunners.

With almost no game time this season, Mari had been thought to look into returns to Brazil, however, Simplicio took to Twitter to suggest he would prefer offers from other European clubs. Sky Sports have reported that the club will

Unfortunately for the Spanish centre-back, there has so far been little to no interest and it would appear his agent must put in the work in order for Mari to be able to play the game properly again.

Starting out with Mallorca in 2011, Mari has spent time at Gimnastic, Manchester City, Girona, NAC Breda, Deportivo La Coruna and Flamengo before joining the Gunners in 2020.

On 17 June 2020, Mari was injured in the first game of the league restart and Arsenal confirmed that the defender would miss the remainder of the season with a ‘significant’ ankle injury.

It would appear that this injury has done more damage to Mari than just on his ankle as the 28-year-old has struggled for game time ever since his recovery.

What are fans saying?

@DangerDaveDixon has tweeted “He’s a PL level player but not good enough to start over Gabriel, get what you can and recall Saliba”

@35782317m tweeted @From the very beginning Arteta’s plan was clear. He wanted a ball playing centre back. That’s why he gave Luiz a new contract and at the same time bought Pablo but that didn’t work. Eventually he got his man: Benjamin White.