Pablo Marí: Stabbed Arsenal defender faces two months out after surgery

Pablo Marí will be sidelined for around two months after having surgery on wounds he sustained when he was stabbed in an Italian supermarket.

Italy’s Carabinieri police said a 47-year-old supermarket employee was killed in Thursday’s attack.

Another employee was left injured along with four customers, including Arsenal defender Marí, who is on loan at Monza.

The club said Marí’s surgery went well, adding that he will remain in hospital for two or three days before starting the rehabilitation process.

“This type of muscle injury usually requires two months of rest before one can resume physical activities,” said Monza in a statement.

Newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport said Marí had been walking around the supermarket with his wife and son when he was stabbed in the back.

The 29-year-old told Italian media: “Today I was lucky, because I saw a person die in front of me.”

Italian outlet Corriere della Sera reported that former Napoli player Massimo Tarantino was among those who immobilised and disarmed the attacker before police arrived.

“I’m not a hero. I didn’t do anything special,” said 51-year-old Tarantino.

More to follow.