by Kingseyi Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:21 pmPetr Cech said on Wednesday he was prepared
to fight for his place as Arsenal’s first-choice
goalkeeper and denied any contact with Chelsea
over a return to Stamford Bridge.
The 36-year-old veteran’s spot has come into
question after a patchy season last year, and
following new manager Unai Emery’s signing of
Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen.
But Cech, who lost his position at Chelsea to
Thibaut Cortois, said it was not the first time he
had faced competition for the number one
jersey.
“It happened many times during my career so
that’s the way it goes,” said the Czech, ahead of
Thursday’s pre-season friendly against Atletico
Madrid in Singapore.
“The only thing you can do is work hard and
force your way through to the starting line-up…
especially in football, there is no sentiment
about it — you just do your job and you see.”
British media have linked Cech with a fresh stint
at Chelsea, whose Belgian ‘keeper Courtois —
the Golden Gloves winner at the World Cup in
Russia — is reportedly a target for Real Madrid.
But Cech, whose Arsenal contract runs for
another year, said there had been no contact
from Chelsea over a possible move.
“I have a contract with Arsenal. I am
concentrating on this season, on the competition
between the goalkeepers because we have
plenty of options,” he said.
“I’m doing my best to show to the manager that
I can be in the starting line-up when the season
starts. That’s my aim and as for the speculation,
I don’t really follow it.”
AFP
to fight for his place as Arsenal’s first-choice
goalkeeper and denied any contact with Chelsea
over a return to Stamford Bridge.
The 36-year-old veteran’s spot has come into
question after a patchy season last year, and
following new manager Unai Emery’s signing of
Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen.
But Cech, who lost his position at Chelsea to
Thibaut Cortois, said it was not the first time he
had faced competition for the number one
jersey.
“It happened many times during my career so
that’s the way it goes,” said the Czech, ahead of
Thursday’s pre-season friendly against Atletico
Madrid in Singapore.
“The only thing you can do is work hard and
force your way through to the starting line-up…
especially in football, there is no sentiment
about it — you just do your job and you see.”
British media have linked Cech with a fresh stint
at Chelsea, whose Belgian ‘keeper Courtois —
the Golden Gloves winner at the World Cup in
Russia — is reportedly a target for Real Madrid.
But Cech, whose Arsenal contract runs for
another year, said there had been no contact
from Chelsea over a possible move.
“I have a contract with Arsenal. I am
concentrating on this season, on the competition
between the goalkeepers because we have
plenty of options,” he said.
“I’m doing my best to show to the manager that
I can be in the starting line-up when the season
starts. That’s my aim and as for the speculation,
I don’t really follow it.”
AFP
