Arsenal’s decision to fly to Norway 24 hours earlier than expected looks to have been influenced by a desire to hold a full training session on the artificial pitch at Molde’s Aker Stadium.
While it’s not the first time the Gunners have encountered such an environment in recent years – Arsenal beat Sutton United 2-0 in the FA Cup in 2017 and ran out 3-0 winners against Swedish side Ostersund in the 2018 Europa League – it will be a first for many of the current squad and Mikel Arteta has taken no chances.
Weird pitch or not, right-back Cedric says his teammates, who overcame the Norwegians 4-1 at the Emirates a few weeks ago, have no excuses with the plastic pitch.
“This [type of pitch] is not something we see every day anymore but no excuses,” he said. “We came here to play, we will have time to adapt in training and that’s it.
“We are players, we need to adapt quick and this is also a quality, to adapt to the pitch and the ball, the weather. No excuses, we are here to play, to compete and get the three points.
“We played against Molde a few weeks ago, we knew it would be a tough game and it was, so we definitely expect a difficult game here.
“They have good players, quick, they also have a strong striker and they are always looking for spaces [behind us] and to spring quick counter-attacks as well so it will be a tough game, 100 per cent.”
Cedric also touched on his lack of game time at the Emirates since signing from Southampton, initially on loan, last January. To date, the Portugal international has played just 550 minutes across 10 appearances.
“Of course, I came here to fight for my place, to fight to play,” he said.
“I am paid to play so of course we want to be part of it, in there every game. This is what I am training for, this is what I try to do when I have the chance, I feel good, I am in a good moment, I am confident.
“So when I have the opportunity I need to make the best out of it every time and this is how I think, I grew up like this. You always need to work at your highest level and then it’s up to the manager.”
He added: “When I came here to Arsenal, I had a few injuries and didn’t play straight away but since then I have been giving 100 per cent every training session, every game I have played. You know better than me by watching the game, when I have opportunities one thing is for sure, I will give 100 per cent.
“What has changed? I don’t know, but I grew up like this, I have to fight for everything I get, it is normal to do my best in every training session so I am ready for the coach.
“When he wants to use me, I am here, I am ready for the team and to support my team-mates as well. The most important thing is we achieve good things in the season.”
Seems like a hard working and honest bloke. But there was probably a reason he didn’t always start for Southampton. Not his fault we signed him either!
Tbf maybe we signed him for the early Europa stages, which is probably his level
I doubt we’re in a financial position to sign a player just for the early Europa stages.
Raul probably did it to grease Joorabchian’s pockets.
He’s probably not really bothered, he has a 4 year deal I believe and on pretty decent dosh. Without doubt another one of those dodgy Raul deals!!! No wonder the club kicked him out.
Who was to blame is speculation of course, although “absent friends” could well be considered as a pointer by some people. There were certainly deals which on further investigation looked “odd” in terms of the price paid/deals made for particular players – Pepe’s is another. As you say, with any player on a long-term deal the advantage is entirely with them as the club can either keep them/pay them or buy out their contract – either way it’s down to the club. It must be something about Arsenal that we have so many players (relative to other clubs) in a… Read more »
Southampton did have some young right backs, so considering they way they run their club, it made sense for them to give the prospects more playing time. The loan and signing of Cedric looks pretty ridiculous now, but I can’t help but think the plan was for Maitland-Niles to move on. Obviously Arteta scuppered that and changed AMN’s mind about leaving, but let’s also not forget that before the Cedric loan deal (which would have made more sense if he weren’t hurt), we had Sokratis playing at right back on more than one occasion. It was still sketchy as hell,… Read more »
They signed him in other to sell AMN. Arteta changed his mind because AMN impressed everybody during the transfer window. He seems to want to sell Ainsley again because he is not playing him.
He isn’t concerned because he is hardly likely to play, anyway.
Cedric’s unconcerned because Cedric probably won’t start.
When I see his picture, my first thought is always “Who’s that guy with Iwobi’s shirt?”
Cedric’s a good back up to have when Bellerin need’s a rest. Simple as that. He’s not a world beater, but a good squad player who sounds like he is committed to the cause. You can’t ask more than that.
rather have a youngster on cheaper money to back up Bellerin or simple use AMN. Soares deal is a waste of money like the Willian deal…
This is the most reasonable comment here. I am still baffled by the hate for this chap.
We don’t hate the player. It’s more hate to the deal that we made. A player we didn’t need since AMN and Hector both ended up staying, now making him the third choice right back. A luxury we can’t really afford to give
Ah! So THIS is why we handed a 4-year contract to a player Southampton didn’t want!
Total scandal that shows why the club is in such a mess.
Indeed — we should have been more concerned by Kia J’s artificial pitch…
I’d rather see Maitland-Niles play.
100%. How much are we paying cedric each week? To be a sub that we could do without. I don’t blame him for this, but our club has been run into the ground in the last 10 years (more off the pitch than on it)
Me too, just as AMN feels btw, not at right back. As I see it, Cedric is a utility right-back in a back four, ANM comes in when we need a wing-back in a five. That said, and as I alluded to, AMN wants and hopes for more chances in the middle and further up the pitch.
“To date, the Portugal international has played just 550 minutes across 10 appearances”.
“I am paid to play”. 😉
When I read that, consider the player who is talking and thinks that Özil isn’t even registered….
It was up to Ozil to do what it takes to get back to the team. He did not. People are still confined and the club still losing massive amount of money. Ozil the highest earner (by far) refused to take 12% and tried to humiliate the club by asking to see their books. He doesn’t seem to have used a calculator in his entire life.
This comment could be more labour friendly.
If he’s unconcerned, I’m unconcerned.
I’m concerned by Cedric’s artificially inflated contract.
Memory is cloudy but seem to remember players dropping to injury often on these crappy pitches. Fingers crossed this doesn’t happen.