Pablo Mari is looking to follow in the illustrious footsteps of Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla by becoming the latest Spaniard to spend “a long time” at Arsenal.
The 26-year-old defender has only just arrived at Emirates Stadium on an initial loan agreement.
He told Arsenal Player: "There have been some wonderful Spanish players to play for Arsenal.
"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."
Arteta has snapped up Mari in an ongoing effort to plug Arsenal’s defensive leaks.
He will be expected to hit the ground running when handed his debut, but the highly-rated centre-half is confident that a game which saw him to Copa Libertadores glory with Flamengo in 2019 can be adapted to meet the demands of the Gunners in 2020.
Mari said after linking up with the Premier League heavyweights: "I want to take it one day at a time and achieve big things at Arsenal.
"Right now I want to focus on the day-to-day side of things. I think we need to put the plans to one side for now because the most important thing is to take things one day at a time and focus on achieving short-term goals.
"We need to change the dynamic around the team, so the short-term objectives are the most important thing. As I've said, we have Mikel’s ideas, aligned with the club, and we need to perform very well to change things."
Arsenal, who sit 10th in the English top flight at present, will be back in action after their winter break when they take in a home date with Newcastle on February 16.
Lauceikpuz
1
play well and be rewarded with a place in the spain euro squard
lizacensyz
2
welcome to Arsenal Mari
GunnArs
5
don’t forget nacho monreal... maybe not our best spanish player or defender ever but his heart was at the right place!
CabdiWahaabCeelaab
1
On this day in 2009 we signed Andrey Arshavin.
lord_henry-14
0
to start with, u pls dun write too much too cos its irritating..
so don't read just ignore it who told you to read
ZoulMaembong
1
arsenal players talk much Rather than performing i will be like this ,like that ,start playing good rather than dreaming
to start with, u pls dun write too much too cos its irritating..
lord_henry-14
2
arsenal players talk much Rather than performing i will be like this ,like that ,start playing good rather than dreaming
Simonepetros77
3
come on Pablo Mari you may do it again for gunners
Mudabcelpu
5
come on Pablo you can do it for the Gunners 💪💪💪🙇🙇🙇
Raeaemru
4
Welcome to gunners family
Natanya_Barrett
6
Good to see a player who is dedicated to the club who wants to play for the badge and not the name on the back however try and emulate Patrick Veira and the aggressive centerback like Campell, that'll have ur eyes set in the right direction
DrFranckeinstein
6
Please emulate instead Viera, Thierry Henry Fabregas went to Chelsea even with his long stay at the club meanwhile although Cazorla played very well Arsenal were not in their best years
cubaelopr
5
wishing you a wonderful time at Arsenal F. C
Deng14332
1
Welcome to Emirates
Cassiusjr10
7
Pablo Mari please be our van dijk not harry Maguire who will soon be mustafi..
Jsmooth
4
YOU CAN DEFINITELY DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO. We are counting on you Pablo 🔴