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Why this summer signing is instrumental to Arsenal’s title hopes
Petr Cech may be looking back with a wry smile having made the decision back in the summer to make the move from Chelsea to London rivals Arsenal. After many years with the current Premier League champions, he found himself out of favour when Jose Mourinho called Thibaut Courtois back from his loan spell at Atlético Madrid, where the Belgian had played 111 games. Mourinho inadvertently did him a huge favour.
Cech made the move to the Emirates for a fee in the region of £10m and signed a four-year contract keeping him at the club until the summer of 2019. This transfer was one of two summer signings for Arsenal, once again raising questions about Arsène Wenger’s intent in the transfer market.
Despite the lack of signings and with a number of key players out with injuries, Arsenal are currently sitting top of the table and find themselves with a good run of results, unbeaten in the last five matches. With players slowly coming back from injury joining an already strong side, many are saying it is now or never for the Arsenal boss when it comes to winning the title.
Cech has been instrumental this season in helping his new club reach the top of the table with 9 clean sheets in 21 Premier League matches. He has been particularly impressive over the festive period with five clean sheets in the least 8 games.
The spotlight is rarely on Czech Republic international in this Arsenal team with such an attacking force including a consistently performing Olivier Giroud, who has hit the back of the net 12 times this campaign. With the focus off Cech, it is the ideal opportunity for him to concentrate on his role and to keep as many clean sheets as possible going into a crucial few months towards the back end of the season.
Success is very familiar to Petr Cech, having won four League titles, two European trophies and three community shields with Chelsea. The seven-time Czech player of the year is well respected in the world of football.
“He is a super talent. He is certainly one of the greatest goalkeepers we have ever seen here in this country,” Arsène Wenger said back in November. There is no doubt that Cech can win yet another league title, the question is can the Gunners hold their nerve as Manchester City and Leicester City are both breathing down the neck of the London club.
One thing that may have surprised both Cech and Arsenal this season is the lack of threat from Cech’s former club Chelsea. No one could have foreseen that last season’s champions would be languishing near the bottom of the Premier League.
With one of the main contenders out of the running and one of their current rivals, Leicester City not having proven form in the top flight of English football, the possibility of becoming champions for the first time since the 2003/04 season must seem very real. Arsenal’s real opponents in this title chase are Manchester City who themselves have struggled this season away from home.
With this season producing numerous shocks, Arsenal will be optimistic of their chances this season but must be careful not to rest on their laurels as there may be more upsets in this unpredictable Premier League season. Whatever the outcome, Cech will look back on this season and be glad he made the move.
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