Report: Mikel Arteta set to start £75k-a-week Arsenal player for the first time this season on Wednesday
Cedric Soares is in line for his first Arsenal start of the season against Brighton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
The Evening Standard report that Takehiro Tomiyasu could make it to the World Cup with Japan but is unlikely to be risked in midweek.
That opens up the prospect of Cedric getting a first start after substitute appearances against Nottingham Forest and FC Zurich lately.
Mikel Arteta has not rotated his squad as much as he could have done in the Europa League, which has helped keep momentum rolling.
Cedric could play against Brighton
That has also led to some fatigue at times and some of Arsenal’s key players are just days away from going to the World Cup with their countries.
Arteta may be tempted to make some changes and bring Cedric into the fold, with Ben White having played much of the season at right-back.
Arsenal will want to continue their chase for silverware and the EFL Cup represents a winnable competition for the Gunners.
The £75,000-a-week defender, branded as ‘fantastic’ is apparently determined to prove himself and fight for his place in the squad.
He looks unlikely to ever be first choice but if there are injuries in his area of the pitch, he is an experienced and professional option to call upon.
It seems as good a time as any for him to get some football under his belt, although Arsenal will want to do a professional job against a team who won at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League last season.
