Arsenal have reached agreement with Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari to join the north Londoners on a permanent basis.

The pair initially on loans back in January but since then have impressed boss Mikel Arteta with performances on the pitch and the right attitude off the field.

Spanish defender Pablo has put pen to paper with the Gunners from Brazilian side Flamengo. While only making a trio of appearances prior to injuring his ankle in the first match back after lockdown at Manchester City, his attitude and talent means Arteta was keen to signing the left-footed 26-year-old on a longer deal.
 
The 26-year-old joined Flamengo from Manchester City, where he spent four years – including three different season-long loan spells – in Spain with Girona during the 2016-17 campaign, then in Holland with NAC Breda for the during of 2017-18, before returning to Spain the year after with Deportivo La Coruna.
 
Mari started his academy career in Spain with RCD Mallorca, where he made his La Liga debut at the tender of age of 17. After three years in the Balearics Mari joined Spanish side Gimnastic, where he made nearly 100 appearances in his three seasons with the Catalan club.
 
Portuguese defender Cedric joins Arsenal permanently from Southampton, where he appeared over 100 times. He made five Premier League appearances for Arteta’s side during the restart, scoring on his debut in the 4-0 rout over relegation-doomed Norwich City.
 
The 28-year-old started his career at Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon, making his Portuguese Primeira Liga at just 19.
 
Cedric has made 33 international appearances for his country, featuring in the 2018 World Cup and was also part of the Portugal squad which won the European Championships in 2016.

The defender has also had spells on loan at Academica in Portugal and Inter Milan in Italy.
 
An Arsenal statement said: “We welcome both Pablo and Cedric to the club on a permanent basis and look forward to their continued contributions.”