Knife attack survivor Pablo Mari back in Monza training amid 'step by step' recovery for Arsenal loanee

• Mari one of those stabbed in October
• Required surgery on his injury
• Back in training after two months out

WHAT HAPPENED? Mari, who is on loan at Monza from Arsenal, had to have an operation on a knife wound as he was one of the victims of a mass stabbing in Milan. However, he is back with his Monza co-stars and shared his happiness on Twitter, posting: "Back with the team. Step by step."

WHAT THEY SAID: The surgeon who operated on Mari after the incident said that the Spaniard's fitness helped him survive the ordeal. "The surgery was a relatively simple one. Luckily there were only two damaged muscles," Osvaldo Chiara said. "[Mari's] muscular mass is such that the length of the knife that was used couldn't pass through the rib cage and hit his lung."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: One person died and at least five more people were injured during the mass stabbing this year and one suspect was arrested.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MONZA? Mari will hope to be fit for his side's return to Serie A action as they take on Fiorentina on January 4.