Cech - Why the FA Cup is so special

By Lloyd Webb

Petr Cech loves the FA Cup because each game is “special” and you could eventually play at Wembley Stadium.

The experienced goalkeeper has won the competition four times during his time in England, and feels that the atmosphere that surrounds each tie marks it out from other domestic matches.

Arsenal kick off their defence of the FA Cup against Sunderland on Saturday, and Cech is looking forward to playing his part this season.

“I always say it is a special competition,” he told Arsenal Player. “I always love to play in FA Cup games because first you start with the fact you can play teams in lower divisions.

“The atmosphere and everything surrounding the game [underlines] the fact that this could be history for the club you play against. Even if you play a club in the Premier League, the elements of the away fans changes for FA Cup games.

“The away team has a much bigger support than all the other games and the atmosphere is lifted. If you take the history of the cup - it is the oldest competition in the world and that is special in itself.

“I always love to play the FA Cup no matter the team we play because it is always special to be involved,” he continued. “The second reason is if you play in the final or semi final you get to play at Wembley Stadium.

“You always play big games there. This means once you go to the game you have this pressure, tension and atmosphere, so they are always the games you look forward to playing in and that is why the FA Cup is special for me."