Former Arsenal man, Kevin Campbell admits Cedric Soares has been in fine form in recent weeks after replacing Takehiro Tomiyasu in the starting XI.
However, he believes the Portugal international will drop to the bench for the match against Crystal Palace if the Japan star returns from injury.
Tomiyasu has been one of the best signings in England this season and his solid performances have contributed to Arsenal’s resilient defensive performances in this campaign.
However, he has been sidelined for some weeks now and Soares has been given the nod to play in his place.
The former Southampton man has done well and will feel he deserves to keep playing, but Campbell knows Arsenal’s best right-back is Tomiyasu and he says the former Bologna man will play if he is fit.
He tells Football Insider: “With Tomiyasu being out, everyone was a bit worried. What are we going to be like?
“But Cedric’s come in and it just goes to show there are pluggable pieces in that defence now. Cedric can come in there and do a really good job.
“Who’s our number one? It’s Tomiyasu, 100 per cent, but we don’t need to take a risk on Tomiyasu if he’s not fully fit.
“If he’s fit, fair enough, he’ll come back into the side, I’m sure he will. But if he’s not fully fit, Cedric has been a more than good stand-in.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Soares has been a great deputy to Tomi in this campaign and he probably deserves to remain our first choice for now.
However, Tomi has been one of our best acquisitions and he will always slot in straight into the starting XI if he is fit to play.
Cedric has been excellent of late. Funny how our backup RB is still an upgrade on Bellerin.
Cedric will have plenty of games next season, I’m sure we will be in Europe next season one way or another and with domestic cups and the league we will be playing close to 60 games at times two games a week so we will have injuries and fatigue we need to roll players
RFrancis predicts the new name for this site in the very near future: Just Kevin Campbell news site.
I thought it already was!
Cedric has been a very able substitute for Tomi. I doubt Arteta will risk Tomi for the CP game if he is not fully fit. However, Cedric has shown he is more than able to deputise and I am sure he will perform well.
Against palace I’m afraid to bullied by aggressive Zaha.
Yea Cedric’s been great but Crystal Palace forwards are tall, we will need all the height we can get in the Defense line, I’m having a funny feeling Tavares, Pepe and Tomiyasu would be in the starting XI,
Hopefully everyone’s up and running.
To be bullied by aggressive Zaha
Zaha is a doubt for the game.
Hi Longbenark,Tomiyasu OK,if he is fit,but for Tavares I doubt.This game needs a very disciplined players,the attribute which he still lacks.