Arsenal confirm their first January signing

Arsenal have confirmed their first winter signing with defender Pablo Mari joining them from Brazilian side Flamengo on loan for the season.

The Gunners have the option to land his signature on a permanent basis at the end of the season and reports have emerged that the overall transfer could cost around £7.5m.

"Pablo is an experienced player who will provide us with additional defensive quality. We have been monitoring Pablo’s career for a while and we are very pleased to have reached agreement with Flamengo," technical director Edu told the club's official website.

Mari is expected to reinforce the central defensive department which is expected to be without Calum Chambers, who is sidelined after an operation for a knee ligament injury.

Shkodran Mustafi seemed to have sustained a worrying ankle injury in the recent FA Cup tie at Bournemouth but a medical assessment has revealed that the German has only suffered a sprain and should return to action after the mid-season break.

Arsenal are eyeing another loan signing before the transfer deadline on Friday. They are said to be keen on bolstering the defence further with either a new centre-back or right-back. Mykola Matviyenko of Shakhtar Donetsk is at the top of their shortlist.