As we wait for the “title decider” this afternoon, it is good to know that Petr Cech and the Arsenal defenders have been studying Man United’s strikers ahead of this afternoon’s game. Other than Cech’s debut against West Ham, the Czech international has looked very solid, although our defence may have left a few things to be desired. But hopefully they will learn to communicate with each other better as Gabriel settles into the team.
Cech told Arsenal.com the way he has been preparing. He said: “We always watch footage of our opponents because the more information you get, the better picture you can have in your head during the game. If there are certain things which keep repeating in the game of any team, then it helps.
“I like to watch the players playing against me to have that idea pre-game – then you can adapt because the game keeps changing every minute.
“It’s always good to have an idea of what can happen and the main things that are repeating in your opponents’ game. If you want to organise the people in front of you, this information is the main thing for a goalkeeper to have.”
A lot has been made of the threat of Man United’s “more a winger not a striker” Anthony Martial, but Cech is not worried and is preparing to end his “dream start” to his Premier League career. “It’s always difficult when you change clubs and come to a big club with a lot of expectation,” Cech said. “Everybody wants to see what you are made of but he had a fantastic start to his United career.
“Maybe the enthusiasm and excitement of moving to the Premier League helps at the start, but then people start expecting things from you and every day they keep reminding you that you are the main goalscorer. It was obviously a dream start for him and we have to make sure that doesn’t continue on Sunday.”
So we are ready for our old rivals and if we can stop United from scoring, then we will surely create lots of chances of going forward. All we want is a clean sheet and Sanchez and Walcott to bring there scoring boots. Not much to ask, is it?