Arsenal star Pablo Mari set to return to football in two months as he begins recovery from horror knife attack

ARSENAL star Pablo Mari is set to return to football in two months after being stabbed in a knife attack.

The defender is beginning his recovery after yesterday’s horrific rampage in Milan.

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Mari, 29, was stabbed in the back while out shopping with his wife and child.

One person was tragically killed in the attack while five others were injured.

Mari, on loan at Italian side Monza from Arsenal, has now undergone surgery.

Doctors reconstructed two injured muscles in his back.

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And Mari will be sidelined for two months as he rests after the traumatic event.

Monza confirmed the Brazilian had undergone surgery, and will remain in hospital for two or three more days.

They said: “This type of muscle injury usually requires two months of rest before one can resume physical activities.”

Shocked Mari earlier revealed he was lucky to be alive after the knifeman went on his sickening rampage.

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Mari told Monza CEO Adriano Galliani: “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.”

Arsenal put out a statement wishing Mari a speedy recovery.

It 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 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."

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Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, speaking after his side's 2-0 loss at PSV last night, added: “I just found out. 

“I know Edu has been in touch with his relatives. He’s in hospital but he seems to be OK.”

A 46-year-old suspect - believed to have mental health problems - has been detained over the attack, with police ruling out terrorism as a motive