Arsenal: How can anyone doubt Cedric Soares signing?

Apparently, Arsenal’s signing of Cedric Soares was “unexpected”, “confusing”, and “hilarious” but I’m here to tell you that several adjectives are missing there.

So, apparently I’m completely missing something. In the wake of Arsenal signing Cedric Soares, the immediate outcry has been one of disbelief and hilarity. Southampton were confused, fans are scoffing, opposing fans are jibing, and all the while, I feel like I’m the only one celebrating.

How has this move been dubbed confusing and hilarious and foolish and all the negative things that it’s been referred to as? Sure, he’s currently injured. But it’s a loan move. We aren’t spending a lot of money on him and if it doesn’t pan out, we just shrug, send him back, and go about our business.

The move itself makes so much sense. And I’ve covered this multiple times already, but let’s recap for all those that weren’t paying attention. First, on paper.

Cedric Soares sliding in as the back-up rightback with capacity to play leftback does so many things on so many levels. Right off the bat, you have to recognize what it does for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

He’s free!

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He can play midfield. He doesn’t have to play rightback anymore. Every again. Unless he asks really nicely, but there’s no need for that. It’s unnecessary.

Plus, with Soares sliding in as a back-up, back-up leftback, Bukayo Saka is freed up to play in the attack again and not worry so much about defending.

Which means, as it stands, we have Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares at rightback and Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac at left back. That is more solid then our fullback corps has been for years. Perhaps ever. That’s four starting quality fullbacks. Competing, making each other better.

In the immediate, after the winter break, if Kolasinac still isn’t back, Soares can slip over there and spring Saka. In the long-term (well, the short long-term) he can rotate between the two positions and allow for greater flexibility with our young talent.

Don’t lose track of how effective Cedric Soares had been in his half decade with Southampton. He is a consistent, reliable defender, not unlike Nacho Monreal. I don’t know about you, but there are some days I would give up the hit-and-miss fullback play in favor of a sure bet.

That’s what Cedric Soares is. He’s a sure bet. A 100% sure-fire bet with absolutely no drawback. How can you not like that?