Arsenal: Cedric says it is a 'pleasure' to be at the club
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is managing an injury crisis at his club with several defenders currently unavailable and while the Gunners used the January transfer window to bring in reinforcements, some at the club have questioned the decision to sign Cedric Soares from Southampton.
Arsenal news: Cedric Soares was wearing a knee brace when he arrived to complete his move (Image: GETTY)
The report claims the Saints had expected Soares to be leaving the club in the summer after the extent of his injury emerged.
However, Southampton were pleasantly surprised when Arsenal had agreed to pay £5million last month to bring the Portugal international to the Emirates.
Despite currently being sidelined the north London club are confident the player’s ligament problem is healing well.
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Arteta’s squad is currently stretched with numerous injuries to defenders.
Calum Chambers suffered a season-ending injury after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and could be out for up to nine months.
The Gunners are also not expecting Kieran Tierney to return until March and Sead Kolasinac is managing his recovery from an ankle problem.
Along with Soares' arrival last month the Gunners also agreed a £12m deal with Flamengo for centre-back Pablo Mari.
Arsenal paid the Brazilian club a £4m loan fee for Mari, and have the option to make the move permanent for an additional £8m in the summer.
Arsenal news: Gunners paid Southampton £5m to sign Cedric Soares (Image: GETTY)
The Gunners currently sit 10th in the table and are 10 points off fourth-placed Chelsea but now, like the rest of the league, they have a couple of weeks off before resuming Premier League matches.
The club will be taking their winter break in Dubai, with training expected to begin on Friday and last till Tuesday, ahead of their match at the Emirates against Newcastle United on February 16.
The report claims Arteta is hoping to use the break as an opportunity to not only integrate his new signings but also build closer relationships within his squad.
As a result his players have been encouraged to bring their partners and children on the trip and everyone is expected to attend at least meal one together.
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Ahead of the club’s departure to warmer weather, Areta insisted he is hoping the break will help rejuvenate his squad after a "tough" few months.
"It's good to go away," Arteta said. "The players have been through a lot.
"The last two or three months have been tough for them, so I want to give them a few days off. Then we're going to go to Dubai, start working and focus on Newcastle.”