Cedric Soares signs for Arsenal.

HomeSteak

Portuguese defender Cedric Soares is to join us on loan until the end of the season.

The 28 year-old moves to north London from Southampton, where he has made more than 100 appearances since joining the south coast club in 2015.

Cedric started his career at Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon, developing through the youth ranks before making his first team debut in the Portuguese Primeira League at the age of 19.

An experienced international, Cedric has made 33 appearances for his country. He featured in the 2018 World Cup and was also part of the Portugal squad that won Euro 2016.

During his career, the defender has also had spells on loan at Academica in Portugal and Inter Milan in Italy.

Technical director Edu said: “Cedric is a defender with good experience of the Premier League, and of course at international level. He is another strong addition to our defensive unit who will provide our squad with quality. I know he is a player who plays with absolute full commitment and energy. We are all looking forward to going into the last stages of the season with Cedric as part of the club.”

"We were close a few years ago. It didn't happen that time but now thank God it came true. I'm super happy. It's amazing this step, to come here and play for Arsenal. To be able to reach this point is unbelievable."

Really cool name.

Qwiss

WTF! Just got an email from Arsenal about this. Didn't realise this was happening. Sensible signing though.

Wonder what it means for AMN?

Mirth

Qwiss! wrote:
Wonder what it means for AMN?

Probably moved into midfield.

I guess Cedric is fine as back up, particularly since Bellerin doesn't look like he can play more than a game a week.

Qwiss

Seems like the system with AMN moving into midfield was more about Arteta just making it work and now he'll want his right backs playing more like the left back has been.

Soares is out injured till the end of the month.

jones

Mate it's the 31st

Segway

Most meh signing ever?

Qwiss

jones wrote:
Mate it's the 31st

Next month. :doh:

QuincyAbeyie

jones wrote:
Mate it's the 31st

😆

Edit: Qs was faster.

goon

Qwiss! wrote:
Seems like the system with AMN moving into midfield was more about Arteta just making it work and now he'll want his right backs playing more like the left back has been.

Soares is out injured till the end of the month.

Did Hector not drift in against Bournemouth? I didn't watch the game but I noticed in the highlights he was very central in one of the clips.

Qwiss

goon wrote:
Qwiss! wrote:
Seems like the system with AMN moving into midfield was more about Arteta just making it work and now he'll want his right backs playing more like the left back has been.

Soares is out injured till the end of the month.

Did Hector not drift in against Bournemouth? I didn't watch the game but I noticed in the highlights he was very central in one of the clips.

Can't say I noticed but if thats not the idea I don't see the point of this signing. Worth keeping an eye out for anyway.

Anzac

Qwiss! wrote:
Seems like the system with AMN moving into midfield was more about Arteta just making it work and now he'll want his right backs playing more like the left back has been.

Soares is out injured till the end of the month.

I think initially it was more about Saka as LWB & by dropping Xhaka into a back 3 it freed Saka to join the attack and create overloads. Of the 2 stand-in options Saka has the better end product from playing wide. I also think cutting down the exposure of Xhaka was also a factor ahead of AMN covering in midfield - perhaps call it a triple header?

I'm curious to see where Arteta looks to use AMN & if it will mean a change in position & roles for the likes of Guendouzi or Ceballos. We still have no back-up ball winner although Ceballos could provide cover for Xhaka & more so with having Mari as an option next to Luiz.

QuincyAbeyie

Wonder if AMN should be happy or not for this signing. Will he finally get minutes in midfield or won't he get any at all?

Anzac

Welcome Cedric, hope you have a better time of it then Debuchy re his injuries.

Klaus

The weirdest signing.

HomeSteak

Qwiss! wrote:
Seems like the system with AMN moving into midfield was more about Arteta just making it work and now he'll want his right backs playing more like the left back has been.

Soares is out injured till the end of the month.

The Sotton coach said the other day that he is 3-4 weeks away from full training. I assume he would need 1-2 weeks to get up to speed after that.

Anzac

Quincy Abeyie wrote:
Wonder if AMN should be happy or not for this signing. Will he finally get minutes in midfield or won't he get any at all?

I don't see him not getting an opportunity to show if he has what it takes looking forward, Arteta will want to have his summer requirements identified & will want to know who are potential starters, bench or sales.

Klaus

HomeSteak wrote:
Qwiss! wrote:
Seems like the system with AMN moving into midfield was more about Arteta just making it work and now he'll want his right backs playing more like the left back has been.

Soares is out injured till the end of the month.

The Sotton coach said the other day that he is 3-4 weeks away from full training. I assume he would need 1-2 weeks to get up to speed after that.

Kim Källström all over. Amazing.

QuincyAbeyie

Klaus wrote:
HomeSteak wrote:
The Sotton coach said the other day that he is 3-4 weeks away from full training. I assume he would need 1-2 weeks to get up to speed after that.

Kim Källström all over. Amazing.

To be fair it's not like Källström if the intention is to keep him as a backup beyond his loan.

Anzac

I think it's a smart signing and along with Mari represents a well planned low risk transfer window.
Soares represents an experienced PL FB who can cover both flanks and frees up both AMN and Saka if needs be.
Both are loans with options to buy if all goes well & neither will prevent any planned summer activity.

Don't think the likes of Kallstrom or Suarez were ever anything more then loans - don't think there was an option to buy involved?

Klaus

Quincy Abeyie wrote:
Klaus wrote:
Kim Källström all over. Amazing.

To be fair it's not like Källström if the intention is to keep him as a backup beyond his loan.

I suppose not, but why would we? This feels as pointless as his Inter move last season.