Arsenal's Loanee Pablo Mari Stabbed In A Shopping Centre In Milan on Thursday.

Arsenal's defender Pablo Mari, who is currently on loan at Serie A club side Monza has been stabbed.

The 29-year-old has had the scare of his life, after being one of five people involved in a mass stabbing by a man with mental problems in Milanofiori di Assago shopping center, just outside Milan at around 5:30pm.

Numerous reports in Italy have claimed that the 46-year-old man who stabbed Mari and the five other people took a knife from the shelves and used it to injure those shopping around him.

Screams were reportedly heard inside the centre, as terrified visitors tried to flee in panic.

Pablo Mari was stabbed in the back while he was walking with his wife and son in the store. He was taken by helicopter to the hospital and is talking to his relatives.

Sources claim that one person died and at least four others injured seriously. They say it was a 30-year-old cashier of the Carrefour supermarket that died after the attack on people by a man in Assago.

Following investigations, the 46-year-old suspect has had mental health problems and has been detained. Police have ruled out any terrorist motive.

An eyewitness told La Repubblica: "We were at the bar and we thought it was a robbery because we saw some boys and a lady running, then we saw more and more people with upset faces and we realised that something serious had happened."

Mari although was a little dizzy when he was taken to the health center having suffered a stab wound to the back, but his injuries are not life-threatening. He is awake and now recovering in hospital.

The Spanish centre-back, joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Flamengo in January 2020. He has only played 19 times for the Gunners and is currently on loan with top flight Italian club Monza.

Manager Mikel 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 contact with his relatives.

“He is in hospital. He seems to be okay. I will get a briefing now about what happened.”

In a statement released via the North London club's website, Arsenal wrote: "We are all shocked to hear the dreadful news about the stabbing in Italy, which has put a number of people in hospital including our on-loan centre-back Pablo Mari.

"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."

In a tweet, Monza CEO Adriano 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."

Monza manager Raffaele Palladino will visit him on Thursday evening.