So, Petr Cech has announced he will retire at the end of the season. He could still have a big part to play in our season depending on Leno’s fitness.
There are some parallels between Petr’s switch from the dark side and our former keeper Pat Jennings’ move from the bowels of N17 down to the sunnier end of the Seven Sisters Road.
Cech won 4 League titles, 4 FA Cups and 1 a-piece of the CL and Europa cups with the chavs when Abramovich’s money was all conquering in the country. As a credit to him as a man, no Arsenal supporter has ever really held this against him.
In the same way that Jennings was universally respected, Petr Cech oozes decency and a certain statesman-like presence which commands admiring regard both in other players and in supporters alike.
In his early career Petr is reported to have played as a striker before switching to keeper. Perhaps his skills on the deck weren’t quite up to scratch.
Moving from FK Chmel Blšany to Sparta Prague in 2001, Petr soon came to the notice of many clubs abroad including The Arsenal. In fact, he was really close to signing with the Gunners in 2002 but those pesky difficulties in obtaining work permits put the kibosh on the deal. Rennes in France were the beneficiaries and he played for two seasons in Ligue 1.
His career with Chelsea is well documented and, although the trophies won while he was there were all bought with oligarch’s money, he made a massive contribution to the chavs having a defence with an exceptional record. He made 3 penalty saves in the CL final in 2012 (2 in the shootout) and was voted fans’ MOTM.
Petr’s head injury was sustained in October 2006 after a collision with Stephen Hunt’s knee. The resulting depressed skull fracture left him needing to wear the goalkeeping helmet henceforth on the pitch.
Signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2015, Petr’s career took an upturn. No longer having to smear Vic’s vaporub on his top lip to be able to stand the smell of being in the same dressing room as Terry, Ivanovic and Cole etc, must have been a blessed relief to the Czech glove butler. His career sailed to new heights culminating in the FA Cup triumph over his old muckers in the 2017 Final. Although sidelined with injury for that Final, he had played in the glorious semi-final win over Man City.
Reuters
Thanks for the memories, Petr, you’ve always been a top bloke – it was just a shame you couldn’t have joined us in 2002 and become an Invincible. Still, your career turned out ok elsewhere, so I doubt it keeps you awake at night not having been part of such a momentous achievement.
Thanks again – what a great career you’ve had!
chas
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Thanks Chas
Good all round bloke and reliable team man. Rare to be from Chelski and yet thoroughly trusted as an Arsenal man. Good memories and good luck.
Sven Mis being courted by Bayern. Bought us Terrier, Ouzi, Aubang and Mav. With the current Ozil problem is this a case of Spaniards and Germans not being able to get on behind the scenes? Hope you get it right Dick. We are relying on you.
Morning All,
I was delighted when Petr signed, we needed an experienced quality chap after the Mons with Flappy and TPIG.
Thanks for the memories.
Would be a shame to see Sven Mislat leave.
RC. If you do not give the transfer man money to sign players, how can he do his job?
Show him the Money!
Hey Sven Mis, we are only going to be open to loan deals but hey we still expect you to work miracles.
Can you imagine what he was promised when he arrived.
Walk away, why on earth would he consider doing such a thing………………..
Chas
Thanks for doing that. It is odd how we accept some players arrival from our rivals and yet reject others.
Cech is definitely in the former category. I will miss him.
BR – LB: If Sven asked to leave is different but it seems that he is leaving more because of how Emery is working…
Minslat: Auba, Miky, Torreira, Guendouzi, Mavro, Sok, Lichten, Leno
Not too bad if you ask me…Why would we want to part with him?
As for Cech, I hope hejoins our Coaching team as a GK Coach.
Now, the question is – Is Martinez good enough to be our Nr 2 necxt year?
Is Callum Wilson that good?
Who knows if Wilson is good enough for a top team? It is an expensive gamble.
Edu’s potential arrival as Technical Director of Football is a bit strange as well.
Wonder what is happening at AFC.
Great work, thank you chas. PC is an all-round good guy and Arsenal material through and through, shame we didn’t have him at his peak or we’d probably have another EPL title in the bag.
I’d be unhappy to see Sven leave .. but then how’s the guy supposed to do his job without any funds … it must be very frustrating for all concerned. The club have to find a way to solve the Ozil problem, play him or move him on … even if it means subsidizing some of his wages for the remainder of his contract.
Chas,
Thank you for the commendable write up on a proper man!
I’ve also asked before if we could do without the political rhetoric, whether they be images, cartoons or other. Could just replace that image with bilLary, polosiStein or the disgusting dnC. Better yet, just insert any lying, thieving and corrupt politician in today’s world into that sculpture. Because if one thinks any of those sack of $h*tE elites have anything in common with the regular people of this earth, than that logic is delusional. But, if most of the people on here think it is ok, than I will just go with the flow on this.
Arsenal are in big trouble if Sven leaves, guy is a modern head hunter with computer, analytics and eyes on the ground, just the type of technical director required to do the job, whereas Raul is old school. Not sure the Arsenal can afford to go that way, as we all know there is no $ to be spent on known world class players, so the Arsenal will have to buy on the cheap.
Aaron
Not sure what you’re on about, but if you’re talking about the ridiculous photo of Alan Sugar, I’ll just remove it.
If it’s not that then, I’ve even less of a clue.
This post has received only slightly more hits than AA gets on days when there’s no post at all.
Oh well, can’t say I didn’t try.
I suppose the Sven rumours overtook Petr’s announcement in importance yesterday.
Or maybe the Club got Cech to announce his impending retirement to deflect from this current illustration that things aren’t running that smoothly at THOF?
I’m wondering what else THOF could stand for to sum up our present position?
Thanks, Chas,
Very nice Post on a very nice man.
Well done Petr Cech
I understood that Sven was peed off that Arsenal are appointing Edu as the Technical Director of Football, and not him.
Weird — but nothing Arsenal do, as regards our transfer policy/scouting system surprises me anymore.
Maybe you should apply for the job — you have done well on AA. 😁
Tangled House Of Football
Chas,
My apologies sir! Seriously.
I thought that image was of President Trump, just goes to show you that I am eyesight challenged.
Am a bit sensitive on the political scene when it comes to Arsenal blogs.
Another site just never eases up, and I have called out the author as it detracts from the intelligent conversations that come about through dialogue and perspective.
Do not claim to know why others visit this site, but I come to read ideas related to Arsenal, other ideas or stories, and of course GN5’s jokes.
Aaron,
I understand your sensitivity.
It is difficult just to write about AFC and sometimes there is a need for some levity. Hence the surfing/cooking/ cricket etc etc. and GN5 jokes
Ants 9.22pm
Proud of the Vines Bros and delight in the fun we have.
COYG.
BR,
No doubt, I really enjoy all the side adventures, just not the politics, unless we all get to crucify all sides of the political spectrum equally, if so, than I am all in.
Morning All,
Aaron. Just to follow on.
I agree
Carp recipes for Xmas lunch or tales of surfing derring-do are very welcome 😀
This isn’t political, it’s about football.
Away in London, but I completely understand what Aaron was saying
Thanks for post Chas.
Cech was a dignified fellow, but I prefer a keeper with more character like a Mad Jens or a Szczesny
Have nice days all
New Post.