Mikel Arteta has said to the club’s official website that he wants to reward Cedric for his form in Arsenal training as he has performed so well.
Cedric came into Arsenal’s starting line-up against Newcastle United in their last outing, which was a shock to many.
The Portuguese right-back performed well against the Magpies though on his first Premier League start of the season, and he even claimed an assist with a clever pull back for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang late on.
And Arteta has suggested that Cedric’s form in training means that he deserves some first-team chances at the Emirates Stadium.
He said: “When I see someone behaving like he has done and training like he has done, all the time trying to help but accepting my decision – which is tough for him – but at the end, challenging in a way where he is all the time competing in training and when he has the chance to play he does it well and all the time asking for reasons why he’s not playing and what he has to do better.
“I just want to reward this kind of behaviour and player and Cedric has done that for sure.”
Cedric has often been second choice to Hector Bellerin since his arrival at Arsenal.
But Arteta has suggested that if the former Southampton man he can now really challenge to be first choice.
“We talked about some things about the game and then I said that he has to stay fit,” he added.
“He came here with a knee injury, then he had a nose issue, then he had another knee injury and now he’s been fit and competing. Now he’s got his chance.”
It will now be interesting to see whether Cedric keeps his place in the team this weekend.
Arsenal’s next game comes against Cedric’s former employers, Southampton, in the FA Cup tomorrow lunchtime.
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