Arsenal news: Stars dedicate Gabriel Martinelli goal to Pablo Mari after stabbing | Football | Sport

Arsenal’s high-flying stars dedicated Gabriel Martinelli’s fifth-minute opener against Nottingham Forest to their team-mate Pablo Mari, who was stabbed on Thursday in a horrifying knife attack in Milan. The Gunners issued the perfect response to the midweek 2-0 Europa League defeat to PSV Eindhoven by taking an early lead against Steve Cooper’s side at the Emirates.

Arsenal were keen to send their former team-mate a message of strength, by holding up Mari’s No 22 jersey.

The 29-year-old defender, who is currently on loan at Monza in Serie A, was discharged from hospital on Sunday after undergoing an operation on Friday.

The medical procedure was successful and saw doctors reconstruct two injured muscles in Mari’s back following the incident – that left one worker dead.

Arsenal were made aware of Italian reports on Thursday mid-way through their match against PSV in Holland.

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Martinelli opened the scoring when he fizzed the ball out wide to Bukayo Saka, who put in a brilliant cross for the Brazilian to nod home.

Arsenal’s celebration was seemingly planned amongst the entire team as they sent Mari their well-wishes as their impressive start to the Premier League continued.

Mari is expected to miss two months of action after featuring eight times in Serie A this term for his new side.

“After the hard moment we experienced yesterday, both my family and I want to communicate that fortunately we are all fine despite the circumstances,” Mari wrote on Twitter on Friday afternoon, whilst also posting an image from a hospital bed.

“We want to thank all the messages of support and affection that we are receiving.

“In addition, we want to send our condolences and all our strength to the family and friends of the deceased person, and we sincerely wish that all injured people recover as soon as possible.”

Mari’s move to Monza will become permanent if he makes a specified number of appearances in Serie A this season, meaning the stabbing could have a say on his future.

The deal is also dependent on Monza staying in the Italian top-fight as they linger just four points above the drop zone.