Premier League - Aston Villa v Arsenal - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - July 21, 2020 Arsenal's Cedric Soares in action with Aston Villa's Jack Grealish [Pool via REUTERS/Peter Powell]

Arsenal have agreed permanent deals with defenders Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares after their loan spells in the second half of the 2019-20 campaign, the club said on their website on Monday.

Mari, 26, moved to the Premier League side in January from Flamengo, who he helped win the Brazilian Serie A title and Copa Libertadores last year.

The Spanish centre-back played three times for Arsenal before his season was ended prematurely by an ankle injury.

FA Cup Fifth Round - Portsmouth v Arsenal - Fratton Park, Portsmouth, Britain - March 2, 2020 Arsenal's Pablo Mari reacts REUTERS/Paul Childs

The 28-year-old Portugal full-back Soares, who initially joined on a short-term loan deal from Southampton, made five league appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side last season.

Arsenal have been linked with Lille center-back Gabriel Magalhaes by British media as Arteta looks for more defensive cover ahead of the league campaign, which begins on Sept. 12.

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