But for Arsenal supporters, the fascination now is what could lie ahead for the Spanish defender in 2020. After all, Mari had enjoyed a season in La Liga with lowly Gimnastic prior to joining City. "He had come from the Spanish second division and Flamengo fans and journalists did not know much about him." No player in the Brazilian league made successful long passes into the opposition half more regularly than Mari last year. It hints at how well drilled Jesus had his Flamengo team but it is perhaps also an indication that Mari is more comfortable doing this than risking a race with the opposition forward.

Source: Sky sports January 27, 2020 15:45 UTC