Cech - I thought record was impossible

Petr Cech thought breaking the all-time Premier League clean sheet record would be “impossible” when he moved to England.

The Czech Republic goalkeeper joined Chelsea in 2004 and moved to Arsenal last summer after 11 successful years in south-west London.

Cech equalled David James’ record of 169 clean sheets against Aston Villa on Sunday, and will set a new mark with his next Premier League shut-out.

“I’m not really into the records and the individual trophies,” Cech told Arsenal Player. “But some achievements you cannot ignore and to be in a position where I can break the all-time clean sheet record is something that I never thought I would be able to do.

“When I came over, people started talking about the clean sheets and the records, and I thought 169 was impossible. I would have to be here a long time, play every game and you don’t get a clean sheet in every game. The fact that I managed to come to that point is a great achievement.

“I’m glad that people are noticing what I try to achieve," he added. "As a player you try to achieve something that people remember you for. Not only that you score one goal or make one good save, you want to set the example that this is not the one-season or one-game wonder.

“You want to make sure you compete and perform every single game, that you prepare and show the example that you can stay consistent and at the top level as long as possible. I’m really happy that these things I’ve achieved, people realise that I’ve worked to achieve it, so the recognition is great.”