Arteta confirms Arsenal defender has been stabbed

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed that Pablo Mari, who is currently on loan at Monza has been stabbed.

The 29-year-old was taken to hospital after the incident in a Milan shopping centre.

According to Sky Italy, Mari is conscious and Monza manager Raffaele Palladino will visit him on Thursday evening.

Arteta, speaking after their 2-0 defeat at PSV Eindhoven, said Mari “seems to be OK”.

“I know [club technical director] Edu has been in touch with his relatives.

“He is in hospital. He seems to be ok. I will get a briefing now about what happened,” Arteta said.

Arsenal issued a club statement on Thursday night, saying: “We have been in contact with Pablo’s agent who has told us he’s in hospital and is not seriously hurt.

“Our thoughts are with Pablo and the other victims of this dreadful incident.”