Arsenal goalkeeper Cech to retire at end of season
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Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech yesterday announced his retirement at the end of the English Premier League season after 20 years as a professional and winning everything in club soccer.
One of the world’s top keepers, Cech, 36, joined the Gunners from London rival Chelsea in 2015 and holds several EPL records, including the most clean sheets (202 in 443 appearances).
“It has been 20 years since I signed my first professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of this season,” the Czech said on Twitter.
“Having played 15 years in the Premier League, and won every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve,” he added. “I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season, then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch.”
Cech started the season as Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s first choice but lost out to new signing Bernd Leno after he suffered a hamstring injury in September. The four-time EPL Golden Glove winner has been restricted to Cup appearances since his return.
Cech joined Chelsea from French side Rennes in July 2004 and helped the Blues win four EPL titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
He also suffered a fractured skull while playing against Reading in 2006, leading to him wearing protective headgear.
With Arsenal, Cech has won another FA Cup and two Community Shields.
Cech kept 228 clean sheets with Chelsea in all competitions, before he fell behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order.
He still holds the EPL record for most clean sheets in a season (24) and went 1,024 minutes without conceding in 2004-05, a benchmark that has since been surpassed. He was capped 124 times by his country.
Arsenal remains in contention for the FA Cup, where it hosts Manchester United in the fourth round, and the Europa League.
The North Londoners are fifth in the EPL, ahead of United on goal difference but 16 points adrift of leader Liverpool.
“For your consummate professionalism, for being the perfect role model, for the 50 clean sheets, for your honesty, your integrity and your inspiring work with @AFC_Foundation, we want to say thank you @PetrCech,” Arsenal said on Twitter.
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