‘I know he wants to go’: Arsenal urged to keep defender who is still looking for a way out

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Charles Watts says it is ‘worth keeping’ Cedric Soares at Arsenal after Jurrien Timber’s injury, even though ‘he wants to go’.

The 32-year-old is yet to feature for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in a single matchday squad this season, with his last appearance coming away at Wolves in 2022.

Since then, Cedric Soares has been loaned out to Fulham, and upon his return to the Emirates this summer, he hasn’t been able to find a new club.

Whilst the English transfer window has slammed shut, other windows are still open, including the Saudi Arabia market, with Watts telling Inside Arsenal that there is ‘still an opportunity’ that Cedric leaves.

Even with Timber’s injury, which came on the opening day of the new Premier League season, Cedric still hasn’t been able to get into Arteta’s matchday squad.

But Arsenal expert Watts is looking at the bigger picture and how, from now until January, the Portugal international might be needed, hence why he wants the player to stay put.

Should Arsenal keep Cedric?

“Is it almost worth keeping Cedric around now, for the first half of the season,” asked Watts. “Just to have that option, if you’re not going to move him on.

“I know he isn’t going to play very often, but I look at that now and think it probably is wise. I know Cedric wants to go. He has been looking to move and nothing has come up yet. There is still an opportunity for it to happen.

“But I do wonder if it’s worth keeping him around now just for the first half of the season, anyway.”

If Cedric can leave, then he should

At the end of the day, he needs to look at his own game and how, at the age of 32, he can’t be sitting around waiting for the sun to go down.

So, if the chance arrives to earn regular starts elsewhere, even in Saudi, then he should open that door and leave.

Plus, Arsenal get a player, who let’s be honest isn’t going to play, off the wage bill, and even if Arteta does have to turn to Cedric, then things must have seriously taken a turn for the worst.