Mikel Arteta: Cedric Soares Is The Best Attacking Full-Back We Have

By The Editor
on 30th June 2020

Mikel Arteta heaps praise on Cedric Soares who’s now available for selection…

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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Cedric Soares after declaring the full-back fully fit ahead of our Premier League clash against Norwich, the Spaniard told the press (via Arsenal Player).

Cedric has been on the treatment table since he joined us – initially on loan – from Southampton in January.

The Portuguese international arrived at the club with a knee injury that was set to keep him out for weeks, though the pandemic meant that he didn’t make an appearance when he regained his fitness.

Upon returning to full training ahead of the restart, Cedric suffered a broken nose following a clash in training with starlet Bukayo Saka which further delayed his debut.

Now, with Arteta looking for balance in the full-back position, Cedric is available for selection and the head coach is excited to have the European Championship winner back in the squad.

“He’s a different quality in the full-back area than what we have,” Arteta said about the full-back.

“He’s a gifted, technical player and is probably the best we have in the final third to make the right decision and attack the box as well.

“He can play in a four or a five, he’s a really good player with experience in the Premier League that can help us.”

Alongside many headaches, the right-back position is one that Arteta must solve with Hector Bellerin returning from his knee injury a shadow of the player he was.

Also, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has continuously moaned about playing as a full-back which caused him to be exiled from the matchday squad before Covid-19 halted the campaign.

It may be why, despite having limited funds, Arteta identified the right-back position as one he wanted to strengthen. It remains to be seen if Cedric can be the answer long-term.