Cedric Soares wants to leave Arsenal in January after a disappointing first half of the season, but Mikel Arteta is reluctant.
According to Give Me Sport, Cedric Soares is looking to exit Arsenal in the January window after sporadic game time in the first half of the season. Mikel Arteta may end up blocking any move for the Portuguese as he wants to maintain the rhythm in his squad.
Arsenal are in flying form domestically and sits on top of the pile in the Premier League with a lead of five points. Manchester City are breathing down their neck from the second spot, as Mikel Arteta will target key signings in January.
Arteta’s primary concern remains with the squad depth, as Arsenal currently lacks quality cover in many positions. They are trying to sign a winger and a central midfielder on priority but could make another addition, possibly in central defence, if allowed the opportunity.
During the first half of the season, Arteta has largely preferred a set group of players to start Premier League games. When the campaign began, the manager placed Ben White at right back, while Takehiro Tomiyasu has often played on the other flank.
With the right back position sufficiently covered now with Ben White and Tomiyasu, there’s barely any place for Cedric Soares. The Portuguese defender played plenty of games in the second part of last season, largely due to an injury to the Japanese international.
However, this season he barely got any minutes barring the EFL Cup loss to Brighton right before the World Cup break. Cedric desperately tries to play regularly, something he may not achieve at Arsenal if the other players keep their fitness intact.
Hence, he desires to leave Arsenal in January as there is interest elsewhere in the right-back. Mikel Arteta, however, is reportedly adamant about keeping a tight lid on his squad and only wants to improve through the market. Meaning he might block any exit for Cedric.
In the scenario that Arsenal receives an offer good enough for them to consider, a sale might materialise. However, the 31-year-old has 18 months left on his deal, and one could only expect a paltry offer from someplace.
Arteta might look to keep the current squad intact and add a winger and a midfielder using the January window. Cedric may have to bide his time until the summer before thinking about leaving the club for good.
