The experienced Czech has announced that he is to hang up his gloves at the end of the season, much to the surprise of former Gunners star Bob Wilson
Petr Cech’s decision to head into retirement at the end of the season has left Arsenal legend Bob Wilson stunned, with the 36-year-old told he may be walking away too soon.
Having enjoyed a 20-year career in which he exceeded all of his personal expectations, an iconic figure of the modern Premier League era has revealed that he is to hang up his gloves.
That decision has been taken after slipping behind Bernd Leno in the pecking order at Emirates Stadium.
“This is my 20th season as a professional player and it has been 20 years since I signed my professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of the season,” Cech wrote on Twitter.
“Having played in the Premier League and won every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve.
“I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season and then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch.”
Arsenal paid tribute to Cech with a post on Twitter in which they highlight his half century of clean sheet achieved at the club, while Chelsea labelled him a “champion on and off the pitch.”
Arsenal also put a statement on their website in which they thanked him for his contribution to the club.
“Petr recently informed us of his decision,” Arsenal wrote. “Like all football fans, we are sad about this, but completely understand and support Petr.
“We know Petr will continue to make a big contribution in the future, whatever he decides to do. Petr has been an extraordinary player during his 15 years in the Premier League and an exemplary professional on and off the pitch.
“He has been a fantastic ambassador for Arsenal, Chelsea and the Czech Republic and will always hold a special place in the affections of football fans around the world. Petr, we wish you every future success and thank you for everything you have done for our club, on and off the pitch, and the wider game.
“We look forward to you helping us to an exciting finish to this season and wish you well for the future.
The former Czech Republic international first moved to English football when he joined Chelsea in 2004 from Rennes and joined Arsenal in 2015.
Cech has won four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three Leagues Cups, the Europa League, the Champions League and is the most capped player in Czech history with 124 appearances for the national side.
He made 333 Premier League appearances for Chelsea and has amassed 110 at Arsenal; and is the only goalkeeper to to have kept over 200 clean sheets — with 202 in total.
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In the 2004-05 campaign, Cech set a record of conceding the fewest goals in Premier League history (15) and kept the most clean sheets (25) in a single campaign as Chelsea won the title under Jose Mourinho.
