UNLUCKY Arsenal star Cedric Soares reportedly required surgery on a broken nose after an accidental collision with Bukayo Saka in training.
The Portuguese international arrived at the Emirates on Deadline Day in January already nursing a serious knee injury.
Soares, 28, joined to provide cover for Hector Bellerin at right-back.
But he is still yet to make his debut for the Gunners.
Having recovered from his troublesome knee problem during the coronavirus pandemic break, he is now finally in contention to contribute for Mikel Arteta’s side.
It’s been anything but plain-sailing, however.
According to The Athletic, Soares suffered an accidental collision with Saka in training so bad that he was required to undergo surgery.
And in pictures from last week’s friendly defeat to Brentford at the Emirates, Soares can be seen with his nose still swollen, and his left eye also practically forced shut from all the swelling.
He has also since been forced to train in a protective face mask.
Soares hasn’t appeared since January 21, when he made his final outing for parent club Southampton in a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
But the injury-hit star could feature tonight at the Etihad, despite Bellerin being the more likely right-back to be given the nod.
Whoever starts will be wearing specially altered Arsenal third kits, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and the NHS.
Instead of player’s names on the back of the shirt, “Black Lives Matter” will be printed above squad numbers in solidarity with the social justice movement.
And the NHS logo, in a heart-shape badge, will be emblazoned on the chest between the club crest and Adidas logo in a nod to the amazing work of brave staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Gunners resume their Premier League campaign this evening, as Arteta makes his first return to Etihad Stadium since leaving his post as Pep Guardiola’s No2 to take the reins at the Emirates.
They do so sitting a disappointing ninth in the table – but only four points behind fifth-placed Manchester United and yet to lose a league match in 2020.
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