MIKEL ARTETA may have shipped defender Pablo Mari out on loan in January but the 28-year-old is still full of praise for the Arsenal boss.
Mari joined Italian side Udinese on a temporary deal in the winter window after making just two Premier League appearances in the first half of the campaign.
The Spaniard was actually Arteta's first signing as Arsenal boss in January 2020, and he's labelled his fellow countryman as 'one of the best managers' he's come across in gushing praise of the coach.
Mari also claimed he felt unlucky at the Emirates and did his best to impress given the rare opportunities handed to him.
He told Radio Marca: "I haven’t had any luck at Arsenal, but when I’ve been on the pitch, I think I’ve given a very good level.
"In the end, there comes a point where you have to make decisions."
Mari then continued: "Arteta is one of the best managers I’ve come across.
"He helped me a lot to understand football better.
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"It’s an idea very similar to [Pep] Guardiola’s, but with its nuances."
It's unsurprising Mari compared Arteta to Pep Guardiola, given he spent three years as part of the latter's coaching staff at Manchester City.
The 39-year-old was an assistant coach to Guardiola at the Etihad before being appointed as Arsenal boss in December 2019.
Mari meanwhile impressed in his one and only game for his new club so far, helping Udinese to a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Torino.
The club are currently 14th in Serie A, having enlisted Mari's services in the winter window in a bid to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
In total Mari played 22 times for Arsenal since joining from Brazilian side Flamengo, initially on loan, two years ago.
But a good run of performances for Udinese between now and the end of the season could see him add to his Arsenal tally next campaign.
Although former club Flamengo were linked with a move for Mari before he left for Italy, and could come back in for their man in the summer should he be deemed surplus to requirements in North London.
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