TNT Sports commentator left shocked after what Mikel Arteta did in the Champions League tonight 

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Lucy Ward has admitted it was a ‘surprise’ to see Cedric Soares start over Reuell Walters for Arsenal tonight.

Speaking on TNT Sports, the commentator was shocked the Arsenal youngster didn’t start from off at right-back.

Mikel Arteta made eight changes as Arsenal travelled to the Netherlands for their final game of the group stages.

Many expected the Spaniard to hand a few youngsters an opportunity to shine given the fact nothing was riding on the game.

Yet, Arteta opted for his more experienced fringe players, with the likes of Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares all getting the nod.

There were claims that Reuell Walters was pushing to make his debut for the club yesterday.

But Arteta made some substitutions in the second half and opted to bring on Declan Rice at centre-back and Ben White at right-back.

It meant that Walters missed out on getting any minutes on the night and Lucy Ward was surprised he didn’t get the nod.

Ward shocked by Arteta’s Walters decision

Speaking on TNT Sports’ coverage of the game, Ward highlighted Arteta’s decision to start Cedric over Walters during the first half.

“I think there’s probably a surprise at right-back Walters didn’t start the game,” she said.

“Cedric’s done alright as you’d expect. I’m not sure he’ll be at Arsenal here for much longer so it’ll be interesting to see if Walters does get some minutes in the second half.”

It certainly was a surprise to see Cedric given the nod as he doesn’t seem to have a long-term future at Arsenal.

Tonight looked like a decent opportunity for Arteta to take a closer look at some of the younger players coming through the academy set-up. But the Spaniard’s changes would indicate that he was looking for his side to get back on track with a win after losing to Aston Villa on Saturday. 

Indeed, Arteta brought Martin Odegaard, Rice and White on after PSV cancelled out Eddie Nketia’s first-half effort.

It’s a shame that Walters didn’t make his debut tonight but he will certainly be hopeful of getting an opportunity at some stage this season.