Arsenal’s only summer signing Petr Cech has arguably been one of the best moves in the Premier League. After a little more than a decade with arch-rivals Chelsea, the Czech international made the move across London in a bid to get regular first team action. And Arsene Wenger was only too glad to oblige.
Since then, the 33-year-old goalkeeper has made a number of fine and crucial saves to deny opponents time and again. John Terry had said he would save the Gunners ‘12 to 15 points’ in a season. He has certainly done that over the last 22 games and leads the league with 10 clean sheets (tied with Joe Hart of Manchester City).
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After winning four Premier League titles with the Blues, he is now looking to win his first with the north London side. If he does, he will be the first player since Eric Cantona to win consecutive league titles with two different clubs.
However, kit manufacturers Adidas still don’t seem to have recognized his key contributions this season and still believe he is a Chelsea player. The sportswear giant manufacture custom-made gloves for Cech but sent them to Chelsea’s training ground – the Cobham Training Centre in Surrey – instead of the Arsenal Training Centre at London Colney in Hertfordshire.
“The glove manufacturers obviously still think of Petr Cech as part of the furniture at Chelsea,” a source from Chelsea said. “It’s strange to think of him at another club.”
And Chelsea immediately sent the gloves to the right address after receiving the package and ensured Cech would be ready for the clash.
“There were a few smiles and mischievous remarks when Petr’s gloves turned up here, but we made sure they got back to him as soon as possible.”
Arsenal take on Chelsea in a super Sunday clash at the Emirates this weekend and it will be the third time this season that Cech takes on his former club. The Gunners beat Jose Mourinho’s side at Wembley in the Community Shield but lost in the league at Stamford Bridge.
Cech’s experience will be vital to Arsenal in next few years: Mertesacker
Stand-in captain Per Mertesacker has spoken about how valuable Cech is to the Gunners’ future. The German defender claimed that having a league champion’s voice in the dressing room always helped youngsters who wanted to learn.
“He has huge experience. He has won a lot of titles, including the Premier League,” Mertesacker said. “He knows how to deal with situations and how to stay consistent. He knows how to win things and, to get information, advice and opinions from him makes us stronger.
“Petr is vocal. He wants to speak, he wants to share that information and what a win-win situation that will be for us over the next few years.”
