One person has been killed after four others, including an Arsenal footballer, have been injured in stabbing attack at a supermarket in Milan.
Police have arrested a 46-year-old Italian man suspected who is alleged to have grabbed a knife from the shop’s shelf before launching into the attack.
A supermarket employee died on the way to hospital, according to the ANSA news agency.
The wounded included Spanish defender Pablo Mari, who is on loan to the Serie A club Monza from Arsenal.
The motive for the attack was unknown but Italian authorities said there were no elements to suggest terrorism.
Mr Mari was rushed to hospital following the attack. He is understood to be conscious and not in a serious condition.
Taking to Twitter, the Monza club chief executive wished the football player a speedy recovery.
“Dear Pablo, we are all close to your and to your family, we love you, continue to fight as you know how, you are a warrior and will heal quickly,” Adrian Galliano wrote.
Mr Galliani was later quoted on Sky Sports Italy as saying: “Pablo Mari had a fairly deep wound on his back, which fortunately did not touch vital organs such as the lungs or other.
“His life is not in danger, he should recover quickly.”
Arsenal FC said in a statement shared to its website: “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 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.”
The Carabinieri police in Assago who were investigating the attacks refused to confirm any details.
Witnesses told ANSA that they saw people running from the supermarket in shock and shop workers pulling down the store’s shutters.
Police and ambulance crews responded immediately after calls flooded in to alert them of the attack, the supermarket chain Carrefour said.
The supermarket expressed its sympathies to employees and clients affected by the attack and said it was offering them psychological support.
