Arsenal January loan signing Cedric Soares is back in full training and ‘getting closer to full fitness’, according to the player himself.

Cedric Soares returned to full training this week, a few days ahead of Arsenal’s most recent schedule for his comeback. He posted on Instagram that he’s “working hard with the guys and getting closer to full fitness”.

Soares signed for Arsenal on an initial loan deal in January. The club reportedly have an option to make the move permanent in the summer. That option won’t cost them anything, as the right-back will be out of contract anyway.

As a result, these next few months are more like an audition than anything else. Particularly after Arsenal’s Europa League exit, reducing the necessity for another right-back.

The 28-year-old needs to prove he can make a valuable asset to the club over the coming years. Assuming he does so, there’s no real reason not to give him the contract extension. Arsenal can always then sell him on later for a profit.

That’s why it’s been disappointing not to have Soares available so far. The longer his absence goes on, the less of a chance we have to judge him in games that actually matter. With any luck, he’ll make his debut in the near future now.