Martin Keown delighted with Arsenal completing Cedric Soares loan transfer

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Martin Keown has expressed his delight after Arsenal completed a loan deal for Southampton defender Cedric Soares.

The Gunners confirmed on their official website that the 28-year-old has joined them on loan for the rest of the season from Premier League rivals Southampton.

He’s a right-back that has arrived at the London Stadium to provide competition for Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, but the latter may now be moved into a midfield role.

Cedric has been on the books at St Mary’s since 2015 and he’s now linked up with Arsenal to try rediscover his best form.

The Portugal previously won the European Championships back in 2016 and has proven he can be a decent option in the Premier League.

He’s played 19 games across all competitions this campaign for Southampton, but is making a big step up with his move to North London in terms of the scrutiny he will be under.

Former Arsenal defender Keown is confident that new arrival Cedric is a smart addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad.

“I think he’s a good player (Cedric). He’s been a bit unfortunate this season. I do feel he’s a really good player of course current holder with Portugal of the Euros, I still think he’s got enough to offer for Arsenal,” Keown told talkSPORT.

TBR’s View:

Cedric isn’t a high-profile addition to the Arsenal squad on deadline day, but he looks like a shrewd pieces of business that will improve the squad options.

Bellerin’s injury problems in the past may have come into the thinking of Arteta and the Southampton loanee has shown he does have the versatility to slot into both full-back areas if required.

Cedric has shown on the international stage that he can be a top player and he’s a well balanced full-back that is solid both offensively and defensively.