Arsenal’s deal for Cedric Soares is looking a strange one

Add as preferred source on Google

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal signed Cedric Soares on loan from Southampton in January of this year.

Eyebrows were raised further when the deal was turned permanent by the club in June.

And at the moment, the permanent transfer of Soares to the Emirates is looking somewhat bizarre.

So far in 2020/21, the Portuguese full-back has made two appearances – in the Europa League and EFL Cup – and is yet to make a single one of Mikel Arteta’s matchday squads in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old is seemingly really struggling to get a look in at the moment, with Hector Bellerin firmly established at right-back.

The Spaniard is arguably not playing at the top of his game right now, and one would think Soares should be providing a better challenge for his place in the team.

It raises the question of whether or not Arteta truly trusts Soares to play in the Premier League.

TBR’s View – Soares deal looking a strange one

With Bellerin not in best form, it seems really odd that Soares has not at least made the bench one time in the Premier League.

Last week he turned out for the U23s to face Manchester United, suggesting that currently there is no immediate danger to Bellerin of replacing him at right-back.

Presumably Arteta green-lit the idea to turn Soares’ move permanent, which makes the situation all the more perplexing.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has the capacity to provide a challenge for Bellerin, and arguably the free transfer didn’t, and still doesn’t, make a great deal of sense.