Arsenal technical director Edu explains why Gunners signed Cedric Soares despite injury

Cedric Soares is the second man in the door at Arsenal this January after Pablo Mari signed for the Gunners on loan, but the Southampton star is carrying an injury

Arsenal technical director Edu is confident Cedric Soares will be a "strong addition" to the Gunners' defence after joining on loan from Southampton.

Soares joins the north London club with a knee injury, and will be out of action until at least mid-February.

But Edu doesn't appear concerned by this fact, and is hopeful the Portugal international defender will provide an injection of experience at the back for Arsenal.

Edu said: "Cedric is a defender with good experience of the Premier League, and of course at international level.

"He is another strong addition to our defensive unit who will provide our squad with quality.

"I know he is a player who plays with absolute full commitment and energy. We are all looking forward to going into the last stages of the season with Cedric as part of the club."

Soares nearly joined Arsenal a few years ago but the transfer fell through.

On finally completing a switch to the Gunners, Soares said: "We were close a few years ago. It didn't happen that time but now thank God it came true.

"I'm super happy. It's amazing this step, to come here and play for Arsenal. To be able to reach this point is unbelievable."

Soares is the second - and likely final - man in the door at Arsenal this January after Pablo Mari. The Spaniard joined on loan from Brazilian club Flamengo and will represent the Gunners until the end of the season.