Arsenal signing Soares could mean position change for Maitland-Niles

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a move for Southampton defender Cedric Soares.

According to Sky Sports, the Gunners are on the verge of signing the 33-cap Portugal international on loan.

The full-back’s contract is expiring at St. Mary’s Stadium, meaning there’ll be an opportunity for the north Londoners to sign him for free should he impress.

Soares, 28, impressed upon first joining the south coast club but in recent times he has failed to convince.

This time last year he was farmed out to Inter Milan, and in 2019/20 he has made 19 appearances for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Southampton have officially snapped up Kyle Walker-Peters from Tottenham Hotspur to compete with Yan Valery, which is confirmation Soares is surplus to requirements.

Arsenal’s impending signing of Soares is particularly interesting, as it could now see Ainsley Maitland-Niles get an opportunity in his preferred central role.

TBR’s view – Maitland-Niles to flourish?

Maitland-Niles recently talked himself up as an attacking midfield player ‘either central or on the wing’ (Goal), and the arrival of Soares could be a big thing for him.

He’s had to cover at right-back for a lot of the time he’s been a first-team player, but with Arsenal soon to finally have two options for the position, it could mean Mikel Arteta starts deploying him further forward or inside.

If the 22-year-old is to take up a more natural position from here on in, then he’ll probably need to ensure he ups his game in terms of ball retention.

Maitland-Niles has strong technical qualities but according to WhoScored his pass completion rate this term is only 82% so far.

Having been playing out of position, he’s only been able to make an average of 0.6 key passes per 90, so moving to a position where he can be more influential can see him improve in that particular area.