Mikel Arteta has completed his second signing as Arsenal boss following the arrival of Spanish centre-half Pablo Mari from Flamengo a short while ago. Cedric Soares joins on loan until the end of the season from Southampton.
The deal to bring the right-back to the Emirates is one which has surprised a great many of Arsenal’s supporters. The full-back areas are among Arsenal’s strongest with Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin, Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all on the books with the club.
The suspicion is that Arteta is looking to move Ainsley Maitland-Niles into midfield, his natural position. Soares then will probably serve as cover for Bellerin who has himself only recently recovered from a long-term injury.
Soares, who was part of the Portugal team which triumphed at the European Championships in 2016, has 33 international caps and is highly-rated by manager Fernando Santos. He began his career with Sporting Lisbon in the Primeira Liga and played 67 times in white and green with a number of loan spells punctuating his time at the Estádio José Alvalade.
From there, Soares moved to Southampton where he has played 138 times in five seasons with the club. Clearly, European clubs with great pedigree consider the full-back to be a classy player as Inter Milan also loaned Soares away from Saint Marys’ last season.
As for where this leaves Southampton, Ralph Hasenhüttl probably won’t be too concerned with losing his man as the club look to have secured their top-flight status after an incredible run of form. Since losing 9-0 to Leicester in their own back yard, the Saints have taken points from Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal. They have signed promising full-back Kyle Walker-Peters from Spurs and therefore won’t be feeling aggrieved to have lost Soares.
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