Arsenal outcast sends message to Mikel Arteta after surprise selection

Despite not making the squad in any of Arsenal’s games this season, Cedric Soares has been handed a lifeline at the Emirates.

Cedric Soares is not giving up on his Arsenal career after making the club’s Champions League squad.

Fresh from a lackluster six-month loan at Fulham, Cedric’s future appeared bleak. The German-born Portuguese missed Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the USA and their opening five games of the new campaign.

Yet, with Jurrien Timber out with a long-term injury, Cedric has replaced the summer signing in Mikel Arteta’s team for the Champions League.

And he’s not taking it for granted.

In an interview with DAZN Portugal, Cedric spoke about his competitive spirit and desire to contribute to the team, no matter what.

“Everyone wants to play and I also always really want to play, that’s what makes me competitive in football,” the 32-year-old said.

“It’s what gets me to train every day with that determination, but also to realize that we have to contribute, even if we’re not in the squad sometimes.

“That is the aspect I think I developed a lot at Arsenal. Sometimes you have to work for the group and not focus so much on yourself individually.”

Cedric joined Arsenal from Southampton in January 2020. The full-back has made 59 appearances for the Gunners, scoring five goals and dishing out five assists.

The former Sporting CP star was linked with moves to Spain and Portugal in the summer, but he stayed put in London.