Petr Cech says he’s pleased his performance against Watford helped Arsenal to their first three points of the season.
Despite the Gunners dominating long periods of the 3-1 win, the 34-year-old had to be on the top of his game throughout, making a great stop to prevent a Laurent Koscielny own goal levelling the scores at 1-1 and then denying José Holebas and Odion Ighalo on 69 minutes as the home side tried to further reduce the deficit.
Speaking after the game, Cech underlined the importance of a first win of the season.
“Everybody has to do their bit to help the team get three points,” he told Arsenal Player.
“I’m happy with my contribution today. Obviously I’m not happy we conceded, because in the first half I thought we had done really well and it would have been nice to keep a clean sheet.
“A win is a win and we needed to respond after the first two games without the win. We got a vital three points.”
First team matters will now be put on hold with many players heading off for the Interlull. It’s a frustrating state of affairs for Cech – all the more so given he’s just retired from international football – with Arsenal just building momentum.
“Every win gives you momentum. It is just a shame that we now have the international break. Sometimes when you get an important win you would like to continue. There is now a two-week break and we need to make sure we have a home game and keep winning.
“We have 35 more games to play. Like everybody else, we are going to fight to win every game to be in the mix until the last kick. Last season it wasn’t easy.
“You work every day to be ready for weekend and midweek games and all the games that come. We know we are not an exception.
“We want to win the title and we want to challenge at the top of the Premier League. There is no hiding from that. Everybody else will do the same, so we will try to do our best.”
Watford No. 24 looks like he’s gon shit in his pants with that cech save @ picture!
He played well against Watford. So long as the scoring from outside the box stat that he suffered from last season doesn’t continue this season we have a great keeper behind some reliable defenders and solid defensive midfield.
We are super lucky to have a quality keeper in Cech. If Courtois had struggled even a few weeks before Cech left, we may still be looking for that top-level goalkeeper. With Cech and Bosscielny leading our defence, along with new additions such as Xhaka improving our squad, there is a lot to be optimistic about looking forward.
I’m hearing some Arsenal fans complaining about how much Čech was called into action in the second half yesterday. Er, pardon me, but that’s what he’s there for. If we didn’t need our goalkeepers making saves, we wouldn’t bother investing so much money in them.
Of course he is there to do that job, and im delighted that we have such a safe pair of hands in that position, but i dont think it’s unreasonable to be a little concerned by how often he was called into action. One can’t help but feel that we have sufficient defensive quality in the squad now that we should be able to close a game out more efficiently than we did, and (all due respect to Watford) wed be punished by better teams. The following observarion I would like to caveat by saying that I think His Grand… Read more »
Dude, first of all the lot of you guys, stop acting like you guys know every fucking thing.
It was evident in the second half that most of our players are still not fully fit to last the 90 minutes. That I think should be alright after they all get back from the international break.
Fuck Mourinho right in the ass! Stop preaching Bullshit.
Chill out Hun, it’ll all be ok in the end
But If our team isn’t fit and the other team is, how is that an excuse? that’s indicative of a problem with our preparation. Just the same as every summer
However, pleased to see the necessary business has now been done and of course fingers crossed they bed in and we can go on a it of a run
Some general advice, there’s no need to start wearing off because someone’s doesn’t share your blind optimism. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
It is not about blind optimism! It is about the general way Arsenal fans are these days. I am sure, I am aware of what has transpired at the club over the summer! My question is why are some Arsenal fans so reluctant that they can’t be just happy when something good happens at the club.. Like winning a game of football and signing a couple of players? Why can’t we just get going and support the club we love the most instead of whining forever like some sick old granny? If you think I have got some blind optimism,… Read more »
I semi-agree, but I would point out that Wenger did adjust the team when it became clear that the game was becoming too stretched in the second half. He brought on Elneny, he brought on Wilshere, he took off Oxlade-Chamberlain who wasn’t having a blinder of a game. Notably, those substitutions happened earlier than you normally associate with Wenger. We now have more options in our squad than we have had at any time in the recent past and perhaps that will facilitate a more flexible approach to in-game management, both from the manager and the players.
Also like how Ospina’s been pretty cool about being back up especially after the great Copa America he had.
Money well spent on Cech (From Chelsea of all places)
Another of our panic buys.:D
Thought Holding did very well again. No mention of him of course in the media since he did not cost 47m.
In terms of concentration, think some of our players are still a bit heavy legged second half which is understandable – Santi and Ozil particularly.
Good to introduce some injection of energy earlier. Wenger put on Elneny (who to his credit will harry to no end) and Jack.
Thanks to arseblog tom for all of his efforts to get the arses back in gear, let the bickering (re)commence!