The picture above says it all, Petr Cech will forever be linked with Chelsea. He was at the club for eleven seasons after all and won all there was win with the Blues.

But this season is going to be different for the Cech Republic international.

The goalkeeper spent the majority of last season sitting on the bench at Stamford Bridge as young Belgian goalie Thibaut Courtois excelled in between the sticks.

At the age of thirty-three and with his goalkeeping qualities still intact, Cech realised that he would have to depart Jose Mourinho’s side if he was going to get more first-team action.

That’s when Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal stepped in with an offer.

An old Mourinho foe (Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger) did enough to persuade Cech that his future remained in England’s capital and that the Gunners could offer him a great place to continue his illustrious career.

Cech was given Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s blessing to join their rivals and a £10m move was soon agreed.

He would personally thank the Chelsea owner on Twitter:

I would like to thank everyone who helped make this happen both @ChelseaFC & @Arsenal especially Roman Abramovich & my agents Sports Invest

— Petr Cech (@PetrCech) June 29, 2015

The experienced goalkeeper was also quick to thank the Chelsea fans who had considered him a hero for a decade.

It’s believed that Chelsea boss Mourinho wasn’t in favour of allowing Cech to move across the city. You can see it from his point of view, Abramovich has effectively strengthened the opposition. Had it been up to Jose I doubt he would have sanctioned the transfer.

Tomorrow will be a huge day for Arsenal and their new number one.

As fate would have it, Cech’s first competitive (semi competitive) match for the Gunners will be against his old employers.

It’s an ideal opportunity to show the Arsenal fans, his new teammates and the whole footballing world that he has left Chelsea both physically and mentally.

If Petr can help secure the first piece of English silverware for his new team, while preventing Jose and his men getting their hands on it, then Arsenal’s confidence could go through the roof before the English Premier League campaign kicks-off next weekend.

Many believe that Petr Cech is the missing link that Arsenal having been missing since Jens Lehmann’s initial departure in 2008.

The Czech keeper has world-class attributes. He has vast winning experience winning league titles, domestic cups and a Champions League trophy whilst at Chelsea.

In Premier League history, only David James has produced more league cleansheets than Cech’s 168, with Petr only two away from James’ 170 cleansheets record. You can only imagine that Cech will break that record at the Emirates with the Gunners.

Last season Cech still produced fantastic saves and he still has tremendous stature that intimidates opposing forwards. He will no doubt save Arsenal points this up an coming campaign. Just how many remains to be seen. Can he finally end their long wait for another league title? I suppose that’s the £10m question.

Tomorrow Petr Cech has to lay down a marker to prove that he can bring more trophies to Arsenal and shine against his former teammates. A stunning display can start his Arsenal career off with a bang.

Fate usually likes to throw odd curveballs when it comes to football. What money on Cech producing a cleansheet or saving the winning penalty tomorrow? Or maybe he’ll make a blunder that see’s former side clinch the Community Shield!

All I know is that Cech will be judged no matter what and he will remain a superb keeper who will have a fantastic season at his new club!

As they say class is permanent.

 

Posted on August 1st, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article