Cedric Soares is open to a potential exit from Arsenal this summer, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Cedric Soares after scoring their side's second goal during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Cedric Soares after scoring their side’s second goal during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Football.London report that sources close to Cedric Soares claim he’s not closing any doors to a potential exit from Arsenal this summer.

The right-back has made nine appearances in all competitions this season, and just two of them were Premier League starts. Both of those starts occurred before Takehiro Tomiyasu joined the club on August 31st.

Clearly, Cedric isn’t Arsenal’s first-choice right-back. His case as a backup has been aided by Calum Chambers’ departure, but at 30 years old he probably doesn’t want to be waiting around anymore.

Arsenal are seemingly back in the market for a right-back, with recent links to young Djed Spence.

Then there are those in the academy touted for bright futures, such as Brooke Norton-Cuffy or Ryan Alebiosu, both on their first loan spells this season.

Cedric Soares of Arsenal during the warm-up before Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London - 23rd April 2021. Copyright: Holly Allison / TPI / Shutterstock
Cedric Soares of Arsenal during the warm-up before the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London – 23rd April 2021. Copyright: Holly Allison / TPI / Shutterstock

That’s not to mention the potential senior right-backs who still haven’t technically left the club right now – Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Both are on loan and expected to leave in the summer. But if either of them can’t find a move, they may well end up sticking around for another campaign, providing further competition for Cedric.

If Cedric isn’t close to displacing Tomiyasu as a starter by summer (which doesn’t seem likely right now), a departure may well be the safest option to ensure he gets more playing time next season.