Cedric Soares delighted with Arsenal debut.

• January signing Cedric Soares enjoyed his Arsenal debut on Wednesday and he marked the day with a brilliant goal.

Cédric Soares [L] [@OficialCedric]

January signing Cedric Soares enjoyed his Arsenal debut on Wednesday following his return from injury.

Cedric Soares joined the north London club in the January transfer window, but injury problems and the COVID-19 enforced lockdown led to the defender’s inaction for more than five months.

However, he eventually returned to the pitch in the Gunners’ 4-0 win against Norwich and marked his debut with a brilliant goal after coming off the bench to replace Hector Bellerin.

He’s now the third Arsenal player to score on his debut in the past 10 years, and the first since forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018.

When asked how it felt to start his Arsenal career with a goal 229 seconds after getting on the pitch, he told Arsenal Digital as Arsenal.com reported: “Yes, it felt great to be fair. To be able to first of all play for Arsenal in Emirates Stadium and add that start with a goal, of course I feel very, very happy.

“But I need to thank all my colleagues, they helped me during this time. You saw the reaction, they were happy as well. They were supporting me and I'm very, very thankful for that. But most important is of course the three points.”

The former Southampton defender also said Mikel Artera’s side need to keep the positive momentum going into their Premier League match against Wolves this weekend.

“Yes, it will be a difficult game. Wolves has a very good team as well. But of course we want to win. Like you said, we are in a positive moment and we want to keep it going. The Premier League is always 100 per cent so we know we have a difficult game but I'm sure we'll be ready.”

On kick-starting his Arsenal career after the long wait to get his first game, he guaranteed given “100 per cent in every game” he plays.

He said: “Yes it was a difficult time. Arsenal kept confidence in me as well and I want to give it all back to the club and to the fans as well. What I can guarantee is that I will give my 100 per cent in every game.”

Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.