Charles Watts has claimed that Cedric Soares is ‘very happy’ at Arsenal, and unless he wants to leave there would surely be no point in signing a new option.
Takehiro Tomiyasu was signed last summer from Bologna, and he made an immediate impact in the first-team. The Japan international appeared to settle almost immediately into the English division, but the rigours of the Premier League appeared to take it’s toll on his body as he eventually succumbed to injury, and has been missing for almost all of 2022 thus far.
The right-back has continued to be one which we are claimed to be looking to bolster once again in the summer, but Cedric Soares impressive form since coming into the side for Tomi is more than worthy of challenging for the right-back role once everyone is fully fit, and it would hardly be a shock if we was to stick with the same two going into the new season.
Watts insists that Cedric ‘loves’ being at Arsenal, and makes a convincing case for him still being in north London come the close of the summer transfer window.
“It kind of depends on him. He has a nice contract,” Watts told his YouTube followers. “Will he decide he wants to go and play more regularly? I mean, people I know who are close to Cedric say he loves it at Arsenal and he’s very very happy.
“There’s been chances for him to go before now and he’s chosen to stay. He’s behind Tomiyasu at the moment and playing well. And it’s really a case of if he wants to go or not.”
I don’t think there will be much complaint if we didn’t bolster the right-back role this summer given the performances of both Tomi and Cedric this term, and the decision could well allow us extra funds to bolster our issue areas, such as in central midfield and attack. Soares has really impressed this season, and I dare say that he deserves to hold onto his place in the team even when his team-mate returns to fitness.
Do you think Cedric will immediately get dropped when Tomiyasu is deemed back to 100%?
Patrick
My opinion is Tomi is the first choice; he’s been our most consistent and best of the back 4 when he plays.
Cedric has been reliable when called on, so maybe he remains 2nd choice next year also.
This allows our young RBs another year on loan and developing, so they can challenge for Cedric’s spot the following year.
Things are coming along nicely through the academy, and why not let them develop and challenge for backup spots?
Great for academy future recruitment, solves depth without additional spending, and can generate funds if needed.
Backup RB is least of our concerns; striker and midfielder, then 2 backups for those same 2 positions should be the 4 we get right this Summer.
If we are talking about the Palace game Patrick then I think Cedric starts if fit & available
He loves the club which is a major ingredient to a player giving his all when called upon therefore an added advantage to the team’s growth and development.
Yes, Tomi is first choice for me but Cedric has been a brilliant back up.
“Brilliant”, REALLY? Or just adequate, as I BELIEVE.
I much dislike obvious exaggerations and overhyping moderate players as being much better than they actually are.
Oh come on John, he has been an excellent back up, getting high reviews from fans and pundits alike….or are you just being somewhat cantankerous as usual? But of course because you believe he’s just adequate so it must be true!
We should start Cedric in the Palace match, maybe after the hour mark we could gentle introduce Tomi, base on fitness progresses
Not sure it’s a game to ease Tomi back into at all myself Gun Smoke, he will be rusty at best and Zaha can be a handful on that flank, Cedric could have a tough night
Brighton next and funnily enough if Tomi has had a bit of a dodgy one it was down there earlier this season, got the run around in the first half but recovered a bit in the second though
But it’s at Home, 3pm on a Saturday, not live on telly, Brighton have weakened a bit as the season’s gone on so maybe that’s a better one to target for him
I think cedric is on best form so far,and i would like to see him finish those remaining games(9/10)Tomi should start nxt season.