Arsenal braced for Premier League backlash over Pablo Mari loan decision

Arsenal are set to loan out Pablo Mari - days after getting a game postponed because they did not have enough players.

The Gunners have agreed a deal with Udinese even though they are still not certain they will have enough squad members to face Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi final on Thursday.

Arsenal are braced for a fierce backlash from Premier League rivals.

Tottenham were fuming that the North London derby was called off because Arsenal asked the Premier League for a postponement, claiming an injury crisis and Martin Odegaard having Covid meant they did not have 14 available players.

Spanish defender Mari, 28, was one of those players but he is now expected to join Udinese on loan in the next few days, likely before the Liverpool game. They could ask for another postponement if they do not have enough players and have Covid cases.

Arsenal will do a "head count" on Tuesday with Kieran Tierney, Calum Chambers and Bukayo Saka all fitness doubts, Granit Xhaka is suspended while another unnamed squad member tested positive AFTER the club's request for the Spurs game to be postponed.

It is the first Sky Super Sunday game to be postponed amid the new Covid rules with their star pundit Gary Neville voicing his disgust while the channel could yet ask for some form of compensation after losing their prime slot even though the game will be rescheduled.

But Mari's imminent move - on top of Ainsley Maitland-Niles going to Roma and Folarin Balogun joining Middlesbrough on loan - will raise eyebrows with other clubs already smarting about the Premier League's rules being abused.

Should Arsenal be forced to keep Pablo Mari until they have enough players available? Comment below

Arsenal would not have been able to even ask for a postponement had they not had a Covid case so it was purely down to Odegaard testing positive on top of a lengthy injury list which persuaded the Premier League to step in.

The club feel Mari needs games after losing his place, they are hopeful of getting the Liverpool game on and cannot put their preparations on hold as another loan opportunity might not crop up.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are hoping to bring players in as they are targeting Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic and talks with Juventus over Arthur Melo are ongoing while they may get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back this week.

Gabon FA officials have said Aubameyang will be allowed to return home to have medical checks on what have been described as "heart lesions" after he recovered from a bout of Covid.

Arsenal have spoken to Aubameyang and he has told them he is fit to stay and play with the club frustrated they have not been able to communicate with Gabon.

But Aubameyang is unlikely to be happy that speculation on his medical condition has been made public with the Gabon uncertain and unable to do the required tests which is why they are willing for him to come back to London.