Arsene Wenger has praised Petr Cech’s intelligence and charisma and says the goalkeeper is “built for English football”.
The Czech international joined the club this summer after 11 successful years at Chelsea and has already made a big impression - years after he was first on Wenger's radar.
"He has a good combination between quality, agility, size - he looked like he was built for English football"
Arsene Wenger
“Before he went to Chelsea we were interested as the guy who brought him to Chelsea is a good friend of mine," explained the manager. "One of the guys who was the agent and he told me there was an exceptional keeper at Rennes.
“He was very young when he went to Rennes. One of my assistants, Boro Primorac, his son was a player in Rennes and he said they had a very good goalkeeper. So we knew [but] I think Chelsea were a bit quicker than us.
“He has a good combination between quality, agility, size - he looked like he was built for English football," added Wenger. "I think he is a very bright goalkeeper as well. He has an intimidating presence, that is for sure. He makes the goals look small. That's the kind of charisma he has.
“His move is a bit like Edwin van der Sar's, who went from Fulham to Manchester United but still had five or six years there, so I don't see why [Cech] shouldn't have a few years. He's very serious, he trains well, has no big problems.”
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