Why criticising this Arsenal signing beggars belief

What a superb signing Peter Cech is. At 33 years old and still at his peak, we’ve secured a world class and vastly experienced keeper who could be the bedrock of our defence for years.

He’s a born winner, a natural leader and someone who inspires confidence in the players and fans alike. Not only is he a superb shot-stopper, but he is tall, strong in the air, commands his box and is solidly dependable. He combines all these traits in a way we haven’t seen since David Seaman.

With Jens Lehman, we had a fantastic stopper and commander, but temperamental and prone to rash behaviour. David Ospina is a good player, but despite a good first season, has been unable to really make the position ‘his own’ and may find his chances limited now. Szcenzy has always been a great shot stopper, but his Arsenal future looks bleak.

He has made too many mistakes – especially off the field – and appears to have lost the trust of the manager. Damien Martinez meanwhile, looks like a talented prospect but is nowhere near the finished article.

Cech simply trumps them all in every department.

You can’t help notice that whilst the signing has been hugely encouraging for Gunners fans, there are still a few naysayers and grumbles that we’ve again signed an expendable reject from a rival. Painful memories of the likes of Silvestre, Gallas come to mind – and there is a question over whether his heart will be fully in the battle considering he was a true blue for almost a decade.

I would argue not only will he be up for the fight, but he will be one of the most motivated players in the squad. Remember, this is a proud man who despite legendary status and being one of the best keepers in the world, lost his place in a team where he was used to being the first name on the sheet.

A season on the bench won’t diminish his ability, it will only make him hungrier to succeed. He was simply unlucky that Courtois – a rare talent and still only 23 years old – emerged in the first place.

Mourinho was left with the ridiculous luxury of having two of the best goalkeepers in the world at his disposal, and unlike many other ‘stars’ he’s shipped out ruthlessly, he was vocal in his desire for Cech to stay.

Make no mistake that Cech is a ‘reject’ or that he’s here for the money. He wants success and he wants to prove a point that he is still the best. If he didn’t, he would have moved to Italy or MLS and wound down his career, not cause the controversy of moving to one of Chelsea’s biggest rivals.

Credit to him for his hunger to carry on at the highest level and credit to Mourinho for thinking enough of him to let him do it. I get the feeling Jose feels he will live to regret it.