soccer
Arsenal defender Pablo Marí to undergo surgery on back damage after Milan stabbing attack
The defender, on loan at Monza, is in hospital but “not seriously hurt” after being stabbed in a supermarket in Milan
According to various reports in Italy, Arsenal defender Pablo Mari is one of six people who have been stabbed in a knife attack at a shopping centre in Milan.
One killed in knife attack in Milan
One person was fatally wounded in the incident, while the other five have been taken to hospital, with four said to be in a “serious condition”. Sky Italy initially claimed that the player, who is currently on loan at Serie A outfit Monza, which is less than 30km from Milan, was conscious and would be visited this evening by club boss Raffaele Padalino.
Thankfully, both Monza CEO Adriano Galliano and Marí's parent club had even more encouraging words of assurance following the attack.
Monza and Arsenal: Pablo Marí “not seriously hurt”
“Pablo Marí is not in danger as his injuries are not life-threatening. We hope to see him back soon,” stated Galliani.
Arsenal, meanwhile, issued the following statement: “We are all shocked to hear the dreadful news about the stabbing in Italy, which has put a number of people in danger, including our on-loan centre-back Pablo Marí. We have been in contact with Pablo’s agent who has told us he’s in hospital and not seriously hurt. Our thoughts are with Pablo and the other victims of this dreadful incident.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking after his team’s defeat to PSV in the Europa League added: “I know (Arsenal technical director) Edu has been in touch with his relatives. He’s in hospital but seems to be OK. We’re having a briefing now, we’ll be in touch and hopefully he will be OK.”
Sky Sports reported on Friday morning that Pablo Marí will undergo surgery at some point throughout the day. The player will spend time in hospital to recover although Galliano says “[Marí] wants to be back in training on Monday.”
It is believed that the incident took place in a Carrefour supermarket in in the Milanofiori di Assago shopping centre at about 6.30pm on Thursday, with a customer allegedly taking a knife off the shelves before attacking other shoppers randomly.
The Spaniard, a graduate of the Real Mallorca academy, signed for Arsenal in 2020 from Brazilian side Flamengo but has rarely featured in the first team, making only 22 appearances for the club. Marí is currently on loan at his second Serie A club, having spent the second half of the 2021-22 season at Udinese.