Mikel Arteta says Arsenal squad could learn plenty from Cedric Soares

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Mikel Arteta has suggested that some of the Arsenal squad could learn a lot from the manner in which Cedric Soares has fought his way back into the fold after being written off, in comments reported by Football London.

Cedric has had a turbulent season. He started two of the opening three Premier League games this term. However, the form of Takehiro Tomiyasu meant that he spent the large part of the campaign on the periphery of the squad.

However, Tomiyasu has had a tough time of late, struggling with injury. And with that, Cedric has enjoyed a run in the Arsenal side. And he has made the most of his chance.

The Portuguese has actually been superb for a number of weeks. And he got the chance to play for his country again during the international break.

Arteta was asked about how much credit he takes for Cedric rediscovering his form for Arsenal. But the Gunners boss was keen to point out that the defender has done all the right things himself.

“I think the player has to take all the credit and his teammates have to learn a lot about that option. When you don’t play, when you are written off, you can take a completely different route, you can start to blame the coach or your teammates or the environment or whatever, and look somewhere else,” he said, as reported by Football London.

“What he tried to do was to stay there, to stay focused, to learn more and wait for his opportunity. When he needed to talk, talk on the pitch, don’t talk on the microphone because here is very easy to talk.”

Cedric form highlights how almost everyone at Arsenal is buying into what Arteta wants

It cannot have been easy for Cedric. There have been a few occasions when he has not even made the bench for the Gunners. And he must have had doubts about his future.

However, the way he has fought back has further highlighted how everyone is buying into what Arteta is trying to instil in his squad.

Of course, Tomiyasu will regain his place at some point. But Cedric is showing that he still has a role to play at Arsenal for some time to come.

The Gunners should have European football to look forward to next year. And Cedric is showing that he is definitely someone Arteta can rely on as the squad gets stretched.