Date: 18th November 2022 at 5:30am
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Cedric Soares has revealed his family had a long-term interest in Arsenal and it was fitting to see him eventually play for the club he has admired for so long.

THE LOWDOWN: EARLY ADMIRATION

Cedric Soares’ family always played a big role in his career and it appears that his father more or less planned his move to Arsenal – way back in 2015.

At the time, Cedric had moved to England for the first time, when joined Southampton from boyhood club Sporting Lisbon. On a free weekend, Cedric, his agent and his father were at Emirates Stadium to watch an Arsenal game from his agent’s box, and it was there that Soares senior saw a destiny for his son.

Five years later, in 2020, Cedric joined Arsenal from Southampton and has now gone on to make 59 total appearances under Mikel Arteta.

THE LATEST: ARSENAL – DREAM DESTINATION

Remembering the turn of events, Cedric said in an interview with Arsenal: “Yes, I always speak to my agent about this,” he begins. “When I first arrived in the UK with Southampton, my father said I would play for Arsenal. We came to watch a game here at the Emirates, the three of us. My father turned to my agent and said, ‘This is the place where you need to bring my son.’ 

“This was back in 2015, my first year in the UK. My father now tells me that I am playing for the club that I wanted to be at. It’s actually crazy, and it’s true. When I left Southampton there were two big teams interested in signing me, and one of them of course was Arsenal. But in the end, it was an easy decision for me to make, because that had been in my mind.”

And did his father help make that decision when Mikel Arteta made the approach in January 2020? “No, I didn’t even tell him at first,” Cedric admits. “It wasn’t until I knew the move was serious that I called him to tell him. I didn’t want to excite him too early, in case there was a chance it might not happen, so I didn’t tell him anything at first. I didn’t want there to be a disappointment if I didn’t move. 

“So I waited, then I called him, telling him there was a meeting and they are interested. My dad was super happy, and my mum too. My brother supported me too – they were all super proud, and still are. They have been a great part of the journey.”

THE VERDICT: DREAM FULFILLED

Cedric has now fulfilled his life-long dream of playing for Arsenal though he has not featured as he would have loved to, due to injuries. However, he remains an ideal squad player and will be happy to play his part when called upon as the Gunners continue their title charge.

 

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