Arsenal defender Pablo Mari has been stabbed in an Italian supermarket.
Mari, who is on loan with Italian club Monza, was one of five people hurt in the incident at a Carrefour in the Milanofiori di Assago shopping centre, near Milan, at around 5.30pm today.
It is reported one person has sadly died, while it has since been confirmed Mari was not seriously hurt in the attack.
It is believed a man picked up a knife from the shelves in the store and began stabbing people, before he was wrestled to the ground and taken into police custody.
An eye-witness 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 joined the Italian club on loan at the beginning of the season from the north London outfit.
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta, who saw his side play PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday night, said after the match: "I just found out. I know Edu (technical director) has been in touch with his relatives. He's in hospital but he seems to be OK."
And in a further statement the club said: “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.”
AC Monza president Adriano Galliani stated via the club's Twitter account: "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!"
A statement released by the shopping centre read: "With regard to the events that occurred in the Assago Hypermarket on the evening of October 27, Carrefour Italia expresses its utmost closeness to the employees and customers involved in the attack and to their families.
"The company confirms that it immediately took action to alert the rescue and the police and to stop the attacker, who was taken into custody, and to ensure the proper conduct of the rescue operations. Representatives of the top management immediately went to the scene and are in close contact with the victims their families.
"Carrefour Italia also immediately activated a psychological support service for all employees directly or indirectly involved in the incident."
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