Safe hands Cech the key for depleted Arsenal
He may be 34, have played more than 350 Premier League games and be approaching his 12th season in England’s top-flight but goalkeeper Petr Cech admits his excitement levels have not diminished even one percent as Arsenal prepare to face Liverpool this weekend.
Cech and his experience will be more crucial than ever against Liverpool as the Gunners face up to a defensive crisis that sees them without senior defenders Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel.
The Czech Republic goalkeeper is used to winning silverware – and Cech is targeting a successful campaign with Arsenal in what could be manager Arsene Wenger’s last season at the helm.
“I love playing games,” he said. “I love having the feeling that all the work you’ve done in pre-season is going to pay off.
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“That’s the ultimate goal – the weekend where you play the opening game, where you’re in the team and where you can win. This is the ultimate excitement.
“In the last week I always look forward to the start of the season because I know I’m ready, I know I’m fit and I want it all to start.
“Regardless of how many games you’ve played, you’re always nervous. I’m always a little bit nervous and have this excitement, this anxiousness in me.
“I think “OK, you need to be ready, you need to perform, it’s going to be a difficult game and you need to do your best”. I’ve always had that and I think that’s what keeps you focused and drives you forward every day to come back to training.
“I don’t know what would happen if you lost that feeling because I’ve never had it. That’s probably when you think ‘OK, I don’t like this anymore’.
“That excitement tells me that I love what I’m doing and should keep doing it.”
