Chelsea FC midfielder Nemanja Matic is ‘not happy’ by the transfer of former team-mate Petr Cech to rivals Arsenal FC, and hopes that the Czech international does not perform like his Chelsea FC days for his new team.
The 32-year-old moved to Arsenal FC last month, in a A?10 million deal after losing his starting place to young Belgian international Thibaut Courtois at the Bridge. Cech had won four Premier League title’s during his time with the club, and looks to have strengthened Arsenal FC in one of the two position’s, where the truly lacked quality.
“I hope this season he does not perform as he did here for 10-11 years” – Nemaja Matic on Petr Cech
Cech moved to rivals Arsenal FC as he wanted to remain in London, where he and his family are well-settled and his kids go to school. The signing of Cech has helped the Gunners take a step forward towards challenging for the Premier League title, however, Serbian midfielder Matic, is ‘not happy’ with the transfer, and in a recent interview during The Blues pre-season tour of Canada and USA, said:
a Petr is a great guy and a great keeper.
a It is going to be a very important signing for them.
a But I am not happy because of that. We know that he is very professional. He is one of the best keepers. And I hope this season he does not perform as he did here for 10-11 years.
a I am happy for him because he gets to stay in London, which for him and his family was very important. I wish him all the best.a
The Gunners have needed a top-quality keeper since the days of Jens Lehmann, and the signing of Cech, helps them in that aspect. The signing might be a master-stroke from Wenger, however, Matic still feels that Jose Mourinho’s side have the edge over their rivals in the Premier League.
a We are ready for everything. I think last year Man United, City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham also had good teamsa very good teams. I think our team was champion and a team that are champions are ready for everything. I think we have enough,a the midfielder said.
Cech on the difference between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC – ‘little details’
Petr Cech made his Arsenal FC debut recently in the finals of the Barclays Asia Trophy, held in Singapore, where he saw his side, comfortably beat Everton 3-1. Following his debut, . in an interview, he was asked about the poor record of Arsenal FC against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea FC, his former side, and the veteran keeper said that it was the ‘little details’ that separated the two.
a There are a lot of things in common.
a What Ia ve found is a group of players who work very hard and are focused on what they are doing on the pitch to get ready. Ia ve found the team spirit quite extraordinary. Everybody pulls in the same direction, which is why I believe we will have a successful season.a
a If you have a game with two big teams ita s decided by the little details.
a In all those games Chelsea were on top we managed the little details better. I hope to be on the winning side again. Ita s as simple as that. I play football to win games.”
The 33-year-old praised the team spirit at his new club and emphasized on the squad depth, which according to him, will be a deciding factor over the course of the season.
a We have a good balance. We have players with a lot of experience, who have won the World Cup for example, and young players who want to prove their point and play as much as possible. We have experienced players and hungry players so that balance gives us an advantage.a
a Everything depends on how well we do on the pitch. We have to compete with the strongest teams. There are a lot of talented players in our team, but the real strength lies in our numbers. This squad has a number of players ready to compete for every position, and we will need them all during the course of the season,a he added.
Arsenal FC have a real-winner in their squad and between the sticks in Petr Cech, who has not only excelled in the Premier League for years, but has also won all there is to be won including the elusive Champions League. How pivotal and instrumental the 33-year-old is for the Gunners remains to be seen, however, things to point to a better future for them.