Arsenal defender earns surprise international call up

Cedric earns Portugal call-up

Arsenal’s right-back Cedric Soares has earned a call-up to the national team of Portugal for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 29-year-old has been called up to the team after three years on the sidelines.

Cedric is no stranger to the national team. He has made 33 appearances for his national team, scoring one goal, which came in 2017 Confederations Cup against Mexico.

Portugal are due to play Azerbaijan on 24th March, Serbia on 27th and concluding the last fixture of the last international break before this summer’s Euros against Luxembourg on the 30th.

Since his move to London in January, Cedric has impressed many with his performances for the Gunners.

The right-back featured on numerous occasions for Arsenal after the end of the first lockdown in June 2020, even scoring on his debut against Norwich.

But he missed Arsenal’s journey to FA Cup glory due to being cup-tied after featuring for Southampton’s third round tie against Huddersfield.

Moving on to this campaign, his presence has not vanished from the first-team. He has started 18 times for Mikel Arteta this season.

Arteta’s faith in the Portuguese is huge considering he has started eight of Arsenal’s last 10 Premier League games.

The former Southampton defender’s versatility is also an element which makes him special. He has played at the left-back slot five times this season.

Purchasing a player of Cedric’s capability and versatility for free is some shrewd business from the North-London side. He has shown that he can be the perfect back-up option when called upon.

Arsenal are believed to be looking at buying a new right-back to replace their long-serving Spaniard Hector Bellerin this summer. With the experience Cedric boasts, he can even provide the cover till the time a new signing settles in for life in London.

 

Yash Bisht

Connect with the writer via Twitter/Instagram: @yarsenal09

Tags Cedric Soares

17 Comments

    1. Lol… That’s not even it for me.. it’s the fact that people on here attacked Arteta for signing Soares free when he just returned from Injury, citing we were wasting salary.
      The crazy part is all of Arteta’s signings have all improved us in their positions apart from Willian, who’s picking up BTW.
      I think Bellerin leaving would because he’s underappreciated here and he needs to try another challenge though

      1. There was so much derision- a Southampton reject for one. He has turned out rather well all things considered

  1. Good for him and credit has to be given for the way he’s been managed by MA and the medical staff hopefully they are doing the same with Martinelli.

  2. Very pleased for him and young Mavroponas who must be doing well in Germany.As a RB , Cedric can cause the opposition problems, as technically he is sound and he is a very fine striker of the ball who is more adept than Bellerin at crossing on the run.No offence to Bellerin, but just stating the facts as I see it.

    1. How Bellerin has been our regular RB choice for so many years is a dismaying mystery to me. I SAID RIGHT FROM FIRST SEEING HIM THAT HE COULD NOT DEFEND AT ALL AND HAVE WANTED HIM GONE EVER SINCE. Cedric is miles better at everything he does. At least when on the field.

      Nothing at all against Bellerin as a person and he is a good example of humanity BUT he is practically useless at the level we require and always has been.

      I just see no point in ever having a defender who simply cannot defend. Goodness knows we have had so many of these this last decade or so.

      Finally, at long, LONG last, we have a realistic manager in charge who thoroughly understands the vital importance of a proper defence! Hurray!

  3. His performance against spurs won me over, I think he’s our number one now. But I still pray that his name enters the list of favourites.

  4. Definitely Cedric should be number 1. Hopefully Arteta keep playing Bellerin sometimes so his market value won’t depreciate. Atleast cash recuperated can be used for a WC young right back.

  5. Bellerin was always a winger converted to full back, never a defender. Having said that he’s a great young man who’s worked his socks off for the club and I don’t recall him putting a foot wrong personally (aside from dodgy hairstyles). I’m happy for him to stay or go, but Cedric has impressed so much that I don’t think we’ll miss him so much. I think we have a good young lad coming through the academy, so keeping Bellerin for a couple of years might be better business.

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