‘Working hard’: Arteta says linked-away Arsenal player has impressed him

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that Cedric Soares works hard in training at London Colney.

Arteta is pleased to see the Arsenal right-back keep his head down, work hard, and get back into the Gunners’ starting lineup.

The Arsenal boss is also happy to see Cedric back in the Portugal national team set-up.

Arsena boss Mikel Arteta on Cedric Soares

Arteta told Football.London about Cedric: “It’s not a coincidence. When you have the professionalism, the dedication, the habits that Cedric has, good things happen to you.

“He’s been patient, keeping quiet and working hard. When he’s had the chances he’s done well and that’s why the national team manager has decided to bring him back, which I’m really happy with.”

The Arsenal boss added: “I think the player has to take all the credit and his teammates have to learn a lot about that option.

“When you don’t play, when you are written off, you can take a completely different route, you can start to blame the coach or your teammates or the environment or whatever, and look somewhere else.

“What he tried to do was to stay there, to stay focused, to learn more and wait for his opportunity. When he needed to talk, talk on the pitch, don’t talk on the microphone because here is very easy to talk.”

Big decision in the summer

In our opinion, Cedric Soares has a big decision to make about his future at Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

Yes, the 30-year-old is playing now, but for how long will he keep his place in the starting lineup?

Takehiro Tomiyasu is the first-choice right-back at Arsenal, and the Japan international will regain his place in the starting lineup once he has fully recovered.

Goal journalist Charles Watts said on his YouTube channel last month that Cedric is happy at Arsenal, while Football London reported on February 7 that the £75,000-a-week defender (Spotrac) is open to leaving the Gunners in the summer transfer window.

The Arsenal no. 17 has made nine starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League so far this season, and made four appearances in the Carabao Cup.