Cedric Soares has faced challenges in finding relevance at Arsenal, and even his loan stint at Fulham in the previous season did not help him regain favour at the club. Many Arsenal fans expected him to depart during the last transfer window, but he remains part of the squad at the Emirates.
Despite Arsenal’s efforts to strengthen their defensive options, which have pushed him further down the pecking order, Soares still believes he has a role to play at the club. The former Southampton player has now opened up about his determination to work diligently and earn his place back in the team.
Speaking about life at the club, Soares said, as quoted by Standard Sport:
“We’re very supportive of each other, we’re a family, even when we’re not playing.
“Everyone wants to play and I also always really want to play, that’s what makes me competitive in football.
“It’s what gets me to training every day with that determination, but also to realise that we have to contribute, even if we’re not in the squad sometimes.
“That is the aspect I think I developed a lot at Arsenal. Sometimes you have to work for the group and not focus so much on yourself individually.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Soares remains a player we expected to leave and it is baffling that he still backs himself to do well at the club.
The Portuguese star has been struggling for relevance and is easily one of our worst defenders, so his prospects will hardly change if he does not leave.
I suppose you have to admire the sheer nerve of an extremely moderate player who , apparently, believes he still has a role to play at Arsenal.
An alternative way of describing it would be to say “he is away with the fairies”!
@HH there you have it, cedric still in Mikel’s plans at least for now.
The long term injury to Jurien Timber on his premier league debut may have opened up the doors for the Portuguese international in the champions league.
Just about going over the hill, this is a chance of one last bite at the cherry.
I like his attitude, very good to have such lads. May not be the best, but at least he is trying and remains positive, despite his age and ability. Another is Elneny. We need upgrades, but accept them as they are neither mischievous nor nuisances. We need players for the Carabao Cup, so there is chance either/both feature in the competition. Good luck to both.
He’s apparently on quite a large contract, and it seems to me he’s happy to sit on it. I don’t think he’s an awful player at all and he could go to a decent club if his interest was in playing matches. I don’t buy he’s happy staying here, playing no matches, whatsoever because the atmosphere is nice.
According to Sportrac £15.5m over 4 years. Not bad at all for a guy who was never going to be a first choice player