Arsenal F.C. Gunners welcome goalkeeper Petr Čech to their team while Chelsea F.C. accepts their loss of a prime player. It is Arsenal’s first summer signing. The 33-year-old who also plays for the Czech Republic national soccer team is reportedly worth 15 points per season. Čech is expected to play against Chelsea at Wembley in August 2015.
Čech played for Chelsea for more than a decade. He is the recipient of the Premier League player of the month award and has won the Premier League four times. He won the FA cup four times and the League Cup three times during his career. According to a poll on Mirror, 72% of voters think that Čech will make Arsenal champions. 28% of voters did not agree.
“Petr has a valid contract with his current club, however, I can confirm that we have been 'permitted' by Chelsea to negotiate with interested parties and Petr has confirmed his interest to play regularly at a top club," said Čech’s agent Viktor Kolar.
Arsenal standing next to Barcelona at Camp Nou on March 2011.
Čech’s role at Chelsea was greatly minimized last season after Belgian goalie Thibaut Courtois replaced him in the lineup. Čech began serious talks with other top clubs in May 2015. Sports journalist Karel Häring tweeted information gathered from Kolar, that the shot-stopper definitely wanted to join Arsenal, Manchester United, or Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea team captain John Kerry remarked that nobody wants Čech to leave, but that they understand his decision. He added that “he is going to be sorely missed” and that the goalie “will improve whatever side he goes to.” Earlier in 2015, Čech was linked to Turkish club Besiktas. Arsenal beat rivals to the punch by signing Čech with a £11 million contract. This officially makes him the highest paid goalkeeper in Arsenal’s team history.
