FARCENAL

Gunners send star out on loan day after game called off due to 'lack of players

- JOHN CROSS

ARSENAL are set to loan out Pablo Mari just 48 hours after getting a game postponed because they didn't have enough players.

The Gunners have agreed a deal with Udinese even though they are still not certain they will have enough squad members to face Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday.

Arsenal are braced for a backlash from Premier League rivals as Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said he could "understand if people find it strange”.

Tottenham were fuming that the north London derby was called off because Arsenal asked the Premier League for a postponement, claiming an injury crisis and Martin Odegaard returning a positive Covid test meant they did not have 14 available players.

Spanish defender Mari, 28, was one of those players but he is now expected to join Udinese on loan in the next few days, likely before the Liverpool game. They could ask for another postponement if they do not have enough players.