Arsenal insider Charles Watts has provided his view on the future of Cedric Soares at the club following reports of a potential departure.
The Portuguese defender has been linked with a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce this summer following a spell at the Emirates Stadium that can best be described as disappointing as he has struggled to nail down a place in the first team following his move from Southampton in 2020, first on loan in January and then as a permanent signing in the summer window.
Despite reports of a potential exit, though, it appears as if the 29-year-old isn’t ready to give up his place in the squad just yet. Speaking on the latest edition of his show, Watts spoke about the situation surrounding Cedric and hinted that he is willing to fight for his place to try and become a regular part of the team:
“Fenerbahce continue to be linked with Cedric Soares. Now obviously, his move to Arsenal hasn’t quite gone to plan, I know he has been very impressive this summer since he’s come back and he’s been really, really fit, he’s been working really, really hard. And he feels like he’s got an opportunity here.
“From my understanding, Cedric Soares is very, very happy at Arsenal. He’s determined to make a go of it, he’s been working really hard in the summer to try and impress Mikel Arteta and force his way into his plans. Yes, there is interest from Turkey from Fenerbahce, but Cedric’s preference is absolutely to stay at Arsenal.”
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Despite his desires to stick around, it may be hard for him to do that with the emergence of someone like Calum Chambers following his emergence in the latter half of last season at right-back. And with no European football for the Gunners this season, the number of chances for him to prove himself in games for the rotational players has significantly decreased.
Watts does hint during his video that Cedric’s situation isn’t helped by the situation surrounding Hector Bellerin, who is reportedly intent on leaving the club, but with nobody making any serious offers for him, the Spaniard looks set to stay in north London, though hopefully that will change before the end of the window to give Cedric more of a fighting chance.
So at the moment, there are two other players in contention for his spot, so he’s going to have to work hard to be the number-one choice, but he clearly backs himself to make a good go of it, so let’s see how it plays out between now and the start of the season.
In other news: ‘You talk to anyone in and around Leicester’ – Watts drops James Maddison claim at Arsenal