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Should Petr Cech be dropped for Arsenal against Hull City this weekend?
The claim that Arsene Wenger is preparing to make a real statement this weekend by dropping experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech after two consecutive defeats to Watford and Chelsea have banished virtually any remaining hopes of a first Premier League title in 13 years.
The 34-year-old was held responsible for Chelsea’s third goal in particular as they were thrashed at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and it’s believed that the club’s coaching staff have expressed concerns regarding the Czech’s performances both in matches and in training, with worries about his kicking and distribution in particular.
A mainstay in the Premier League since joining Chelsea from Stade Rennais in 2004, Cech has been disappointing of late and Wenger will be concerned that he does not represent a long-term option for the club. Whilst David Ospina may not represent that either, it could force the club to move in the transfer market this summer to bring in a top goalkeeper, with the claiming that the club may ponder an offer for Manchester City ‘keeper Joe Hart.
In the short term, though, it seems that Wenger may reward David Ospina for his good form in the Champions League and other cup competitions. Whilst Cech has recorded seven clean sheets in 24 Premier League games, the Colombian has so far recorded three in just eight appearances. The 28-year-old has earned praise in particular for his display at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the season, and could now be set for an opportunity in the Premier League.
With a fixture against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and up against a Hull City side who have remarkably scored just six goals in 12 away games to date in the Premier League, this could be the perfect time if Wenger is to make this call. An extended warm up for Ospina could get him prepared for the crucial European clash in midweek and despite recovering some home form under Marcos Silva, Hull should not present a massive threat at the Emirates.
The risk for Wenger will be whether he wishes to potentially scapegoat Cech and upset one of the key figures in his dressing room, but that seems unlikely. The ultimate professional, a spell on the sidelines may do Cech some good to help him re-establish his form and return to the best version of himself even as he nears the final years of his career.