Wednesday 16 December 2015 10:19, UK
Petr Cech equalled the Premier League clean sheets record with his 169th shut-out in 349 appearances in Saturday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa. The former Chelsea goalkeeper's influence is already showing at Arsenal, writes Nick Wright...
In Athens last week there were moments on and off the pitch that typified what Petr Cech has brought to Arsenal. First, a flying save from Olympiakos midfielder Kostas Fortounis to keep them on track at 2-0, and then a moment of defiance in the post-match media scrum. "Who could have seen that coming?" came the reporter's question. "We could," was Cech's reply.
Arsenal will need every ounce of that belief against Barcelona in the last 16, but Cech's influence already appears to be rubbing off on his new team-mates. "He's changed us completely in that back four," said Theo Walcott after the 33-year-old's record-equalling clean sheet against Villa.
"He's a talker, he believes in us all," added Walcott. "That's why he wanted to join us and having that presence behind you is always nice to have. He's very commanding, he's a leader in the dressing room as well, and he always likes to talk."
Cech's booming instructions can be heard from as far away as the press box at the Emirates Stadium, and Walcott's comments echo those of Per Mertesacker and Hector Bellerin earlier this season. "The way he's commanding and vocal makes him vital," said the German. "He's a great professional and we are learning a lot from him," added Bellerin.
But his impact has not merely been psychological, and the statistics emphasise why Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was so reluctant to let him go. Since a difficult debut against West Ham on the opening day, Cech has been key to a defensive record of just 13 goals conceded in 16 Premier League games. Only Manchester United have been breached fewer times, and no goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets (seven).
John Terry's prediction that Cech would save Arsenal between 12 and 15 points this season already appears to be coming to fruition. His save percentage of 79 per cent is the second-highest among regular Premier League goalkeepers, and a deeper look at the numbers throws up even more compelling evidence.
Arsenal conceded 18 goals from the 46 clear-cut chances they faced last year, according to Opta, but since Cech's instalment as No 1 that percentage has dropped from 39 per cent to 25 per cent, with the Gunners conceding just four goals from 17 clear-cut chances.
No side have conceded fewer times from clear-cut scoring opportunities this season, with Manchester City and Joe Hart, by contrast, conceding 10 from 22. "You know that if they get a really clear chance Petr can do something about it," said Mertesacker last month. "He's always someone who can save your day. That gives everyone a big lift."
Cech's point-blank stop from Liverpool's Christian Benteke springs to mind, as does the brave block to deny Everton's Gerard Deulofeu and the sprawling save to prevent a Gabriel Paulista own goal against Norwich. Those saves alone rescued four points for the Gunners, and Arsenal would already be out of the Champions League were it not for his heroics against Bayern Munich at the Emirates.
It's not just new team-mates lining up to praise him, either. "Petr Cech gives them a lot more stability at the back," said his old friend Frank Lampard on Monday Night Football last month. "Sometimes just the idea of having a top 'keeper and the presence of him helps you. It's a position Arsenal have had problems with over the years and now they've certainly got the man for the job."
Lampard speaks from the experience of 10 trophy-laden seasons with Cech at Chelsea, and he was even more effusive in his praise this week. "We've had some great goalkeepers in the Premier League," he said. "I grew up thinking [Peter] Schmeichel was the main man but I think Petr Cech is at least on a level and he's still got years ahead of him. He's what Arsenal needed five years ago. For me, he's the greatest."
You suspect Didier Drogba would agree. The former Chelsea striker tipped Arsenal for the title in a recent interview with Sky Sports News HQ, and when he was asked if the Gunners have the strength in depth to win the league, his answer was simple: "They have Petr Cech."
This is not the first time the title race momentum has been with Arsenal in recent years, but their prospects look better than ever with the hulking figure of a serial winner patrolling their penalty box. Cech predicted the Gunners would challenge for major honours when he arrived at the club in the summer, and if anyone can see something special when it's coming, it's him.
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