Veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech will be hanging up his gloves at the end of the season and is hoping to bow out with another major honour to his name.
According to the former Czech Republic international, he is hoping to see the Gunners deliver Europa League glory as a fitting retirement gift. The veteran goalkeeper has announced the current campaign will be his last. He will turn 37 shortly after the 2018-19 Premier League season comes to a close and feels the time is right to walk away.
Cech has enjoyed a trophy-laden career, with domestic and European silverware collected on a regular basis during a previous spell at London rival, Chelsea. He has also lifted another FA Cup while at Arsenal, but hopes there is one more triumph to take in before he calls it quits. And ahead of Thursday’s first leg meeting with BATE Borisov in the round of 32, Cech has expressed a desire to go all the way in Europe and grace another showpiece event in Baku on May 29. “Of course, that would be an ideal scenario for me to finish my career,” he said.
The former Champions League winner added: “We prepare every day for every competition and this is what we are aiming for. We try to win every game and progress step by step and as a club it is important for us to try and go as far as possible. Winning the Europa League is a great memory for everyone involved and secondly it can book you a place in the Champions League so there is a lot to play for.”
Cech has been involved in a successful Europa League campaign before. A year on from helping Chelsea to Champions League glory, more continental success was savoured in 2013. He is hoping there will be more to come as he winds down a distinguished career which has taken him to the very top of the game. “It might be the last time I am in the competition, but I prepare for the game like I did through my whole career,” added Cech. “I don’t think if it is my last game in the competition or not.”
Arsenal are set to be greeted by freezing conditions when they face BATE in Belarus, but Unai Emery says that will be no excuse for his players not to put in a positive performance. And head coach Unai Emery, who has travelled without Mesut Ozil, said: “We played against Vorskla in Kiev when it was below zero and snowing. It’s not an excuse for us, the weather or the pitch. We play 90 minutes that are the same for them and for us. My thoughts are that every match is a big challenge.”