‘Why we are better equipped this year’

Having won four Premier League titles over the course of a stellar career, Petr Cech knows exactly what is needed to achieve major success.

The Czech goalkeeper is convinced that Arsenal have what it takes to come out on top this season, and says they have made big strides in recent months.

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“I think the first [quality we have] is the strength in depth,” Cech said. “When we were unlucky with long-term injuries last season, we had to use the same players in so many games and you lack energy in certain parts of the season.

“We dropped points because we couldn’t rotate. This season we have strength in depth, you could see in the Champions League and domestic cup [games] and for the Premier League we keep using different players or can use the same players.

“The manager has this choice and I think we are benefitting so far. Everybody looks fit and ready to go game-by-game.

“Last season everybody was talking about how far we can go, where we can go and we knew that we had a lot of qualities, that’s why we finished in the best position Arsenal had finished in a long time.

“But we missed a little bit to win the title, so this season we go step-by-step, we try to improve and then I think we are on the right way.

“I think we are as strong as anybody else in the league. The league is very competitive but I think we are one of the teams who has all the qualities to compete for the title and we know that.”