Southampton: Cedric still unfit, will miss Arsenal game
By Chris Hughes
In his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s clash with Arsenal, Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that right-back Cedric has not passed fit.
The 26-year-old missed his first league game of the season last week in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, having previously started the whole 14 games for Southampton.
Jeremy Pied deputised for the Portuguese international and his inferior ability showed – the Frenchman was nowhere to be seen when Ryan Fraser swept home for the Cherries’ opener last Sunday.
Cedric was substituted late on in the loss to Manchester City, and is still not fit to return to the Southampton line-up. Pied will therefore almost certainly start again this Sunday as the Saints face Arsenal, marking just his third appearance of the campaign.
Alternatively, Maya Yoshida has experience playing on the right side of defense and could potentially be deployed out there – his discipline at the back could help against the plethora of talent the Gunners have going forward.
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Cedric’s importance to the Southampton squad was highlighted yesterday as he awarded the side’s Player of the Month award for November.
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The right-back is still searching for his first assist of the season but his attacking influence goes beyond the facts and figures. Him and Bertrand were previously the only outfield players to have been ever-present in the league for the Saints – his runs down the right flank are instrumental to Southampton’s play.
With a midweek game against Claude Puel’s Leicester coming up next Wednesday and a big game at Stamford Bridge just three days after, Pellegrino will be hoping that his first-choice full-back can complete his recovery as soon as possible.
As previously mentioned, Arsenal have a hugely talented attack, with Sead Kolasinac and Alexis Sanchez running the left side of the pitch for Arsene Wenger’s side. Cedric’s absence will be sorely missed.
Arsenal versus Southampton has a kick-off time of midday exactly this coming Sunday, with the Saints beginning a two-game homestand at St. Mary’s Stadium.