Alan Hutton feels Cedric Soares has gone ‘under the radar’ at Arsenal so far this season as Takehiro Tomiyasu denies him chances to earn more praise, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Mikel Arteta started Cedric on Saturday as the Gunners visited Aston Villa with Tomiyasu again absent from the squad. The £15.5m summer signing from Bologna has only featured in one Premier League matchday team since he faced Manchester City on New Years’ Day.
Tomiyasu has struggled with calf injuries in recent months after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation. The Japan star seemed like he was nearing a comeback in February when listed among the substitutes against Brentford. But he still looks unlikely to return soon.
Cedric has stepped in to replace Tomiyasu, who instantly established himself as the first-choice right-back after joining Arsenal in August. The Portuguese has now started their last seven league fixtures after facing Steven Gerrard’s side, to reach 11 outings for the season.
Arteta had only fielded Cedric for 34 top-flight minutes from Tomiyasu’s debut at home to Norwich in September to facing Wolves in February. He also started Ben White at full-back against Burnley last month in the first match of Tomiyasu’s current stretch out of the side.
Alan Hutton feels Cedric goes ‘under the radar’ at Arsenal because of Tomiyasu
A move away from Arsenal and Tomiyasu’s shadow was also possible in January for Cedric with Atletico Madrid keen, per the Daily Mail. But Arteta held on to the 30-year-old, who former Aston Villa full-back Hutton feels can slip under the radar despite his performances.
“He has done really well, but he’s gone under the radar because of Tomiyasu,” Hutton said (19/03, 12:45). “When you are going for the European spots and trying to challenge, you need competition for places.
“[Cedric] knows the style of play, he knows what Arteta wants. He’s a good deputy for Tomiyasu.”
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