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Petr Cech retires: Arsenal legend reveals why keeper is wrong to call it quits
PETR CECH still has all the qualities of a world-class goalkeeper, former Arsenal stopper Bob Wilson believes.
Arsenal: Petr Cech will be missed says Jim White
On Tuesday afternoon, Cech announced he will hang up his gloves at the end of the season.
The former Chelsea stopper’s decision to bring the curtain down on his trophy-laden career comes following his replacement as Arsenal’s No 1, a title which is now Bernd Leno’s.
Many have been left stunned by the former Czech international’s retirement announcement, including Wilson - who admits he was ‘absolutely shocked’ to learn that the veteran stopper has decided to call it a day at the age of 36.
“I’m absolutely shocked, I’m truly in shock,” Wilson said of Cech’s retirement announcement during an appearance on talkSPORT.
“Three weeks ago I went up to the training ground and I went over to see Bernd Leno and Petr, I watched the two of them and was very impressed.
“You could see no difference whatsoever between him and Leno, his reactions were absolutely up there.
“In my opinion, at his age it quite shocks me.”
Wilson believes Cech is retiring far too early and that his best days aren’t behind him.
Petr Cech is still capable of playing at the very highest level of the game, without any question
“Petr Cech is still capable of playing at the very highest level of the game, without any question,” he continued.
“Of course he’s a modern day player so he’s not like Peter Shilton at 43, Pat Jennings retired on his 41st birthday, David Seaman was in his 41st year.
“He’s won a multitude of things with Chelsea and won the FA Cup with Arsenal as well, so the players of today are often in a position to retire and maybe not work for the rest of their lives.
“I’m really surprised he’s going as early as he is.”
Arsenal: Petr Cech works on footwork in training session
At this moment in time, Wilson isn’t convinced by Cech’s successor - Leno - who has made several errors this season.
“The sad thing for me is this: Due to the speed of the modern ball, modern goalkeepers are really, really dodgy when it comes to crosses,” the Gunners legend said.
“But Petr Cech remains the best Premier League goalkeeper in helping out his defence by catching crosses.
“Leno is learning and he’s a tremendous shot stopper, but on crosses he punches, punches, punches.
“I’m at all the Arsenal home games and I’m pulling out my hair in that situation.
“What your defence needs is to kill that move and Cech does that with authority.”
Arsenal will next be in action on Saturday evening, when they welcome fourth-placed Chelsea to the Emirates.
Defeat to the Blues will almost certainly end the north Londoners' hopes of claiming fourth place as it will leave them a whopping ten points behind Maurizio Sarri's men.