Arsenal defender Pablo Mari will undergo surgery after being one of five people injured in a stabbing in a supermarket near Milan.
Mari, who is currently on loan with Italian club Monza, was shopping with his wife and son when he was attacked.
As well as the five injured, one man – a 30-year-old supermarket employee – also died in the stabbing. A 46-year-old suspect has been detained by police.
“Today I was lucky, because I saw a person die in front of me,” Mari said on Thursday, according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
Police at the scene on Thursday.
Monza CEO Adriano Galliani said: “Pablo Mari has quite a deep cut to his back, but fortunately it did not reach any vital organs like the lungs or anything else.
“His life is not in danger, he should recover quickly. He has some lesions, but not very serious,” he added.
In a message to the footballer, Galliani said: “Dear Pablo, we are all here close to you and your family, we love you, keep fighting as you know how to do, you are a warrior and you will get well soon.”
Pablo Mari
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta confirmed that the defender is in the hospital and said the club has been in touch with his family. He remains in a stable condition.
A statement on the Arsenal website said: “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 event.”
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Marí joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Flamengo in January 2020 and played 19 times for the Gunners before joining Udinese on loan at the start of the year.
He was then loaned to newly promoted Monza in August.
Police said the attack is not terror-related.
