Some naysayers could put forward the view that Arsenal lost two points in the draw at Stoke, but Petr Cech is the type of player whose glass is always half-full and he has persuaded the other Gunners that it is a point gained in our race for the title.
Let’s allow Theo Walcott to explain the big man’s effect on the team: “All the big teams that have come here have struggled, with Stoke getting positive results,” he said. “There were mixed emotions in the dressing room, but it is probably a fair result.
“We felt from the start we were up for the fight, physically. It’s a shame that we couldn’t get the result we desperately wanted but it is an improvement from previous performances here and we have got to be proud of that point.
“The mental strength in our dressing room is the strongest it has ever been. When you have the likes of Petr Cech coming in as well, he only enhances that.
“He has lifted everybody’s heads up, saying this is a very good point and that nobody tends to win here.
“We just have to look at him because he has been at the top level and won many things so if we have the belief that he has got, we can push on.”
Not only did Arsenal not lose at Stoke, like we did last season, Petr has kept the team in confident mood as we prepare to face his old side next weekend in yet another crucial fixture in the race for the title. With the expected return of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez there is no reason for us not to take all three points, especially with Petr Cech holding things steady at the back.
Onwards and Upwards!