Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted that he put his personal happiness first when choosing to join Arsenal, despite knowing the disappointment it would cause among Chelsea fans.
The Czech shot-stopper had lost his place in the Chelsea first team to Thibaut Courtois and had become noticeably unsettled at Stamford Bridge and was linked with a move away from the club for the majority of the previous campaign.
Chelsea then opted to sell the 33-year-old to their London rivals for a fee for £10 million and has made an immediate
difference at Arsenal, keeping 12 clean sheets in the Premier League already.
Speaking to French broadcasters Canal +, Cech said he is still pleased he put himself first and not the wishes of others.
“I made a good choice. Had to decide between disappointing Chelsea fans and being happy. After 10 years thinking of club, I put myself first,” he is quoted as saying.
Cech also elaborated on Wenger’s role in his decision to switch London clubs.
“I don’t know if Wenger sleeps better since he bought me,” he added. “But when I met him, he explained how the club functions and I liked it.”
Cech did play against his former employers in his first game for Arsenal last summer when Arsene Wenger’s men beat the Blues 1-0 in the Community Shield at Wembley. Since then the west London club have done the double on Cech and Arsenal, beating them home and away, with Diego Costa at the centre of the action.
Cech will be hoping that Arsenal can win on Sunday against Manchester United at Old Trafford and close the five-point gap that Leicester City currently hold at the top of the table.
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