He's lucky to be alive, says Arsenal star's father. after he is stabbed in store drama

THE FATHER of Arsenal defender Pablo Mari today said his son is “lucky” to be alive after surviving a knife rampage in a Milan supermarket.

- Anthony France

Mari was one of six people stabbed at random by a man who walked in and picked up a knife off a shelf. A checkout assistant, 30, died and two elderly women were among the wounded, according to reports.

The 29-year-old, currently on a season-long loan from Arsenal at Italian Serie A club Monza, was airlifted to hospital and was today preparing to undergo surgery on damaged back muscles.

Witnesses said the attacker, who had mental health problems, started stabbing people after grabbing the weapon at the Carrefour store in Assago, south of Milan.

Ex-Napoli player Massimo Tarantino and several customers reportedly grabbed the man and disarmed him before handing him over to police.

The suspect, 46, has been detained and police have ruled out any terrorist motive.

Mari had been walking in the store with his wife Veronica and young son — who was in sitting in a shopping trolley — when he felt a sharp pain in his back.

Mari’s father, also called Pablo, said he found out about the incident at 8pm yesterday.