Joe Hart is an apparent transfer target for Arsenal this summer as the Emirates Stadium side look ahead to life after Petr Cech, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
Cech is enjoying, or not so in this case, his worst season to date in an Arsenal shirt. The Gunners have conceded 28 goals in the Premier League thus far – one more than Middlesbrough – and are struggling defensively as they again slip away from the title conversation.
The Czech Republic international has been their No 1 since signing for £10m in 2015, joining after Thibaut Courtois became Chelsea’s first choice. However, after two brilliant seasons with the Gunners, where he has more than repaid the measly fee paid for him, it looks as if his time as first choice keeper at the Emirates could be coming to an end.
A number of options for Arsene Wenger are available as they look to potentially replace the former Chelsea man, including the aforementioned Hart, and Roma loanee Wojciech Szczesny, who remains an option heading towards 2017/18.
We think it would be the right thing for Arsenal to do, and here are FOUR reasons why …
Rivals
Petr Cech hasn’t been really poor this season, but has he been good enough between the sticks for a side that should be challenging for the Premier League title?
If the stats are anything to go by, no. Cech has kept only eight Premier League clean sheets this season, fewer than rival ‘keepers Hugo Lloris, David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois. Manchester City are the exception to this rule, but in general it is not a good sign when your goalie in unable to keep the same amount of clean sheets as your closest title challengers. A solid man between the sticks is one of the trademarks of any title-winning side, something Cech himself will know perhaps better than anyone.
Goals Against
As previously mentioned, Cech has conceded 28 goals this season in the Premier League for Arsenal.
That alone doesn’t sound great, and comparatively it looks even worse. Kasper Schmeichel, Victor Valdes, Lee Grant, Darren Randolph and even the heavily criticised Claudio Bravo have conceded fewer goals this season in a similar amount of games played.
If you combine the fact that Cech has more clean sheets than all of these keepers, too, it shows us something interesting: this ‘keeper is prone to conceding more than one. Is it a confidence thing? Who knows, but when your goalie is conceding multiple goals-per-game, there is a clear problem.
Better Options
One of the reasons Petr Cech simply isn’t good enough for Arsenal anymore is that they have better options.
Firstly there’s current No.2 David Ospina. Bar his battering in the recent 5-1 thrashing against Bayern Munich, the Colombian ‘keeper has been excellent when given the chance this season.
Secondly, we have Roma loanee Wojciech Szczesny, whose form for the Serie A side has been a major factor in them challenging for their first title since 2000/01.
Lastly, Joe Hart has been linked with a move to north London, and the ‘keeper has out-performed Cech in almost all departments this year, including clean sheets kept, goals conceded, saves-per-game and distribution accuracy.
Age
Age is just a number, some may say. However when you are a professional footballer that fact is unfortunately not true, and age is certainly something that can begin to decide when a player’s career is coming to an end.
At 34, Cech has enjoyed a marvellous career at both Chelsea and Arsenal, however, his age is now beginning to show. His reflexes aren’t once what they were, nor is his speed off the line. While mentally he may still be on a level with most of the top most ‘keepers around, it is becoming evident that his physical powers is are fading.
