Rio Ferdinand has instructed the Arsenal board to give Mikel Arteta the cash to sign Pablo Mari to shore up his Gunners defence.
Arsenal have leaked goals all season, which has seen them throw away valuable points against the likes of Sheffield United and Brighton in recent months.
Arteta has steaded the ship somewhat since being handed the reins, but the Spaniard needs new recruits, and has identified Mari as his top January target.
The problem facing Arteta is that the Arsenal board want to bring the defender in on loan, while Flamengo are only willing to let him go if the deal is permament.
The stand-off is threatening to derail the transfer altogether, and has prompted Ferdinand to instruct the Arsenal board to back their new boss.
Ferdinand said on BT Sport: "If that's the player that Mikel Arteta wants and he thinks he can come in and shore up the defence, then yes they need to pay the money and get him in."
Arteta has been relatively tight-lipped on Arsenal's transfer plans this January.
He said: "I'm not going to be discussing any transfer links publicly. It's something we are trying to do internally and when we have news we will communicate with you guys.
"We are looking at different positions, obviously since I joined we lost Calum [Chambers] and we had other circumstances and injuries in that position so it's true that at the back we have been short.
"There are other positions as well, depending on what happens in the market that we might need to assess."
Wuwdelnpsz
1
Does he has any stake at Arsenal? How can he “makes demand” and “instructed” Arsenal Board to do anything?
Resdilsuy
0
Sell Pepe. Buy two defenders. Mally.
Ridcdkmsu
0
I don’t know why this guy talk to much he wasn’t good player lol
yiaaknsu
0
Y you can't sell Ziyech
Seyimpstyz
0
Arsenal fans used to blame Wenger thinking he was the problem and a lot celebrated his departure not knowing he wasn't problem and that problem still exists today. The Owner and the board
it's TRUE.....I even feel like we should apologise to wenger..
Henrymessi
1
Getting defensive reinforcements should be the only priority for arsenal board this winter. If they fail to do that, then I say they're the problem and not even coaches like Emery.
Kezbklu
0
good advise
wozbilmot
0
good to hell , sh*t kroenke
dantai08
1
If this stupid board don't even wanna pay $7m, what are the odds of us signing marquee players in the summer?
Buelmorsu
0
If you consider Sheff U a ‘relegation team,’ you need to look at the table🔥🔥❤️❤️😁
mimdmnos
2
Rio Ferdinand have saying the truth arsenal defence is very poor because of that we drop point even to relegation teams like Sheffield united and Brighton it is a big shame to us fans when is happen like this you can not say anything when you are in view center because of our present poor form for about three seasons now, please board Arteta has come revive the team pls give him what he want.thank you
Lauceikpuz
3
you let emery sign pepe for 70million and you cant let arteta spend 10% of it on mani
wiuklostz
0
Word!
damacop
1
please my people my blood is running hot,give me updates on the players arsenal has signed so for,,,,abi na basket mouth arteta dea pa?,,,no bullet oooooooi, arsenal is short of fire arms at the defence n midfield
Yahailoty
2
the young plsyers are one of the key factor in our going foward arsnal must stop lending them out we must not let the fire in them burn out by not fitting them into our first team since we have to buy players let them play let them know that they are needed we have three so far that have shown great potenshal
Yahailoty
1
we seam to be rushing things again what must happened is to look at our objective what is more important ,the first thing is to let the new coach do his assessment of player and indtitying the positioning of players and what is more important the leauge or euro
beuboptz
1
have to agree with you Rio where's the money,give arteta the money or get out of arsenal
Dihdirtuy
3
Arsenal fans used to blame Wenger thinking he was the problem and a lot celebrated his departure not knowing he wasn't problem and that problem still exists today. The Owner and the board
MrMeeeeeee
2
Ferdinand could afford to buy Pablo Mari himself😂 so i can't for the life of me, understand why Arsenal let him go back to Brazil and did not sign him.... It's nothing to do with the medical , it's all down to the starved owners!!!!
kopaktyz
2
this board is biggest problem we have
GunnersHenke88
2
So tired of this fucking owner!!! #getthefuckoutfromourclub🔴⚪GUNNERS4LIFE
MuciousMulenga
2
Give Arsenal-Teta the money so that he buys Pablo
fashomoiyaagba
2
always said this arsenal board is the problem arsenal have.