Analysis: Why Petr Cech to Arsenal makes sense
By Curry Goff
With Petr Cech on his way to the Emirates, Curry Goff believes his transfer will benefit everybody…
With silly season well underway, you can count on your fingers the number of legitimate rumors you hear on a daily basis.
No, Messi isn’t going to Charlton Athletic (sorry, Charlton supporters). No, Raheem Sterling isn’t worth fifty million pounds…don’t let Liverpool or Manchester City persuade you otherwise.
A friend of mine once gave me the most sound advice I’ve ever heard regarding transfers: “If it isn’t on the club’s official page, don’t believe it.”
There are a few, however, that, once you hear them over and over again, you start to believe that they’re true. One such rumor that falls into that camp is the Petr Cech to Arsenal speculation that has been going on for quite some time.
More from Arsenal FC
- Gunners do just enough to claim victory in season opener
- Arsenal: We bottled it but I don’t care
- Arsenal complete record deal for Declan Rice
- Arsenal splurges on transfers as they aim to collect silverware
- Arsenal complete the signing of Kai Havertz
Historically speaking, any time you hear that Arsenal are on the verge of signing a top keeper, you should be very wary. I can’t tell you the number of times they have been “in advanced talks” with Iker Casillas, for example. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s already transferred to Arsenal five or six times, at least that’s what the tabloids have led both you and me to believe.
For some reason, however, this year’s speculation seems to be taking hold more so than in the past. Many news outlets, including the Daily Mail and Sky Sports, are already reporting that the deal is agreed (refer to my friend’s advice above if you got really excited just then).
The reason this year’s speculation could soon be coming to fruition is because, for once, this transfer makes sense for all parties involved.
Chelsea Perspective
In Petr Cech, the West Londoners have a world class goalkeeper. For years and years, Cech has been one of the best and most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League. Parts of his statistics are certainly buoyed by the fact that, in Cahill and Terry, Chelsea have one of the best center back pairings in recent memory.
However, you could easily argue that the opposite is also true; Cahill and Terry’s stats are inflated because Petr Cech has been phenomenal.
Unfortunately for Cech, Chelsea also have this guy named Thibaut Courtois. You might have heard of him. He’s a 6’6”, 23-year-old Belgian wunderkind who has dazzled and befuddled since his loan spells with Atletico Madrid. If Cech is the wily old veteran, Courtois is the future, and he’s darn good.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
With Petr Cech still a top keeper (really, he could start on just about any team in the world, except Chelsea and maybe a few others), he has become an expensive accessory. With his value still incredibly high, it makes complete sense for Chelsea to sell him while they can still get a shrewd deal for him. And if there’s anything I know about Roman Abramovich, it is that he loves a good deal.
Petr Cech Perspective
This is the easiest case to make. Like we’ve already said, he’s a fantastic goalkeeper. When you’re a fantastic goalkeeper and you know that you’re a fantastic goalkeeper, you want first team minutes. You don’t want to play second fiddle to a youngster while your last few years of top form wither away.
Cech is also in a unique position where, because he has played for Chelsea for so long and has contributed so much to the team, he can essentially pick where he wants to play. There’s no doubt that, if you have the choice between going to a Champions League side or a lesser known squad in an inferior league, you pick the former, even if it’s a direct rival of your former employer.
Arsenal are a fantastic fit for Cech, as he could slot right into the starting 11 and play a crucial role in their Premier League campaign.
Arsenal Perspective
With his experience and goal stopping prowess, Cech is a perfect fit for Arsenal. He brings stability and a presence between the posts that few keepers in the world possess. Your back four has a different confidence about them when they know that they have a rock behind them.
David Ospina is good, don’t get me wrong, but he is no Petr Cech. The Colombian doesn’t offer the same unshakeable confidence that you get from the Cech the Czech.
In both Ospina and Szczesny, you get a mental lapse or two every game that always leaves Arsenal fans holding their collective breath. With the two of them, you never have full confidence that they know what they’re doing…not exactly a desirable trait in your top choice keeper.
I can’t remember a single moment in Petr Cech’s history where I didn’t fully expect him to make the right decision at the crucial moment.
If you’re Arsenal, you want Petr Cech to be your keeper in those moments. When the game’s on the line and you need a big stop, you want to have confidence that your keeper will do what he’s there to do. If Arsenal complete the signing of Petr Cech, they’ll have plenty of confidence when the game’s on the line.