Petr Cech welcomes Arsenal's Premier League opening fixture against Liverpool
Thursday 7 July 2016 18:54, UK
Arsenal's Premier League opener against Liverpool is whetting goalkeeper Petr Cech's appetite for an exciting season.
The Czech Republic No 1 believes so many of the top teams have been rebuilding, bringing in new managers and strengthening their squads that a string of sides, including his own, will make strong challenges for the title.
Cech, who spoke to Sky Sports News HQ from his summer soccer academy in Prague, admitted the last campaign was a missed opportunity for Arsenal, who finished second to surprise champions Leicester City.
"We were disappointed," he said. "We thought that we were good enough to challenge for the title and to be in the title race until the last game. Unfortunately, Leicester did remarkably well and it was a historical achievement for them.
"We couldn't match them but we finished second which was the best finish for Arsenal for a long time. There were a lot of positives from our last campaign but obviously we would like to carry that on and improve for the next season because we finished empty-handed and that is not what we wanted.
"We started well with the Community Shield but obviously you want to add some important trophies to that. The aim for the next season is to add some silverware to the cabinet and we will definitely work for that."
Cech welcomed the Gunners' big season opener, when they host Liverpool on Sunday, August 14, at the Emirates - one of the top games which it was announced on Thursday will be broadcast live by Sky Sports.
"It's always nice to start with a big one because it brings all the excitement - doubles the excitement - from the players' point of view and everyone else's," said the 34-year-old.
"It's great to really have a test in the first game and then you can kick on your season if you start it the right way.
"Liverpool will be one of those teams who will want to challenge for the title, having played well with Jurgen Klopp after his arrival.
"Man City with their new manager will do the same thing and let's not forget Liverpool and Spurs and us, I think it will be a very exciting season and will be very challenging for many reasons. Chelsea will definitely be there with Antonio Conte.
"We're in for an exciting season."
But he warned champions Leicester they might not find it easy to repeat their success.
He said: "Let's see how Leicester will do this season because playing as champions will be a completely new experience for them and it will not be so easy for them to live with the expectation so there's a big challenge ahead for them.
"One of the things I'm looking forward to seeing is if they manage to live with the pressure as well as they did last season."
