Arsenal news: Arteta tipped to axe Cedric Soares – Campbell
Kevin Campbell has tipped Mikel Arteta to axe Cedric Soares from the Arsenal starting XI against Crystal Palace if Takehiro Tomiyasu is “fully fit”.
The former Arsenal striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the 30-year-old Portuguese defender has done nothing wrong in his recent run of games.
As reported by football.london (24 March), Tomiyasu is expected to return to the squad for next Monday’s trip to Palace after recovering from a calf issue in training.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s win against Aston Villa, Arteta confirmed the 23-year-old was closing in on a comeback.
However, he did not feature in the matchday squad, with the Arsenal boss insisting he had to be “more cautious” with the right-back.
Campbell suggested the Japan international could return at the expense of Cedric on the Gunners’ return to domestic action.
Campbell told Football Insider’s Dylan Childs: “Has Cedric deserved to be axed? I think Cedric’s done really well.
“With Tomiyasu being out, everyone was a bit worried. What are we going to be like?
“But Cedric’s come in and it just goes to show there are pluggable pieces in that defence now. Cedric can come in there and do a really good job.
“Who’s our number one? It’s Tomiyasu, 100 per cent, but we don’t need to take a risk on Tomiyasu if he’s not fully fit.
“If he’s fit, fair enough, he’ll come back into the side, I’m sure he will. But if he’s not fully fit, Cedric has been a more than good stand-in.
“But if Tomiyasu’s fit, he comes back into the side.”
Tomiyasu has not featured in Arsenal’s last eight Premier League games.
Cedric has started the last seven in his teammate’s absence.
In other news, pundit tips Arsenal to sign “huge” Alexandre Lacazette upgrade after £60million latest.