ARSENAL star Pablo Mari says he is lucky to be alive after being stabbed in a mass attack in Assago, Italy.
The centre-back is on loan at Monza and was shopping with his wife and baby son at the time of the incident.
Mari has shared his ordeal for the first time, revealing how he was stabbed randomly in the back before seeing the attacker kill another person.
The defender, 29, was one of five people attacked and was quickly airlifted to a hospital in Milan.
Mari described the incident to Monza CEO Adriano Galliani, who told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I was with the trolley with my child inside and I felt an excruciating pain in my back.
“Then that man stabbed another in the throat. Today I had luck, because I saw a person die in front of me.”
Mari was stabbed at around 6:30pm on Thursday and was kept in hospital overnight but is expected to make a full recovery.
Galliani explained that Mari was stabbed just a few inches away from his lung and also suffered a mouth wound.
Mari is set to undergo surgery but Galliani revealed he is in good spirits and even joked he will be back on the pitch on Monday.
In a tweet, 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.”
An Arsenal statement read: “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 Pabloâs agent who has told us heâs in hospital and is not seriously hurt.
“Our thoughts are with Pablo and the other victims of this dreadful incident.”
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, speaking after his side’s 2-0 loss at PSV added: âI just found out. I know Edu has been in touch with his relatives. Heâs in hospital but he seems to be OK.â
A 46-year-old man has already been arrested by local police.
