Wilshere, Nketiah & Saliba react as Arsenal defender announces his exit | OneFootball

Portuguese defender Cedric Soares has taken to social media on Monday afternoon to announce that he is leaving Arsenal this summer.

The right-back spent four-and-a-half years with the Gunners after initially joining them on loan from Southampton in January 2020 before making the move permanent in June.

Cedric made 64 appearances for Arsenal, with five of them coming this season, and he was linked with leaving on several occasions in recent transfer windows.

However, no agreement could be reached and he is now leaving the Gunners as a free agent following the expiration of his contract.

The former Portugal international became surplus to requirements heading into 2022-23 and spent the second half of that season on loan with Fulham.

Jack Wilshere, Eddie Nketiah, William Saliba, David Raya, and several other players have taken to social media to send Soares their best wishes.

Youth team duo Kido Taylor-Hart and Reuell Walters and Mohamed Elneny have already announced that they are leaving Arsenal this summer, and more exits are expected.

Several fringe players are also set to be sold when the summer transfer window opens as manager Mikel Arteta looks to start earnest preparations for the next season.

The Gunners finished two points behind Manchester City in the race for the title this term and will be desperate to go one better after ending back-to-back campaigns as runners-up.

They need to further bolster their squad with quality additions if they want to stop City, but sales must be made to allow them to recruit players capable of making the team even better.