Arsenal fans have delivered mainly negative reactions after their goalkeeper Petr Cech revealed that he has no intentions of leaving the club, despite interest from Napoli.
The former Czech international told Italian football website Calcio Mercato: “My future is at Arsenal and I do not think about changing clubs”, even though boss Unai Emery has signed 26-year-old Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen, who is likely to challenge for his number one spot.
#AFC's Petr Cech says no to #Napoli: “my future is at Arsenal” https://t.co/oByfIBG1yW pic.twitter.com/vSfOWIKbLf
— CalcioMercato (En) (@CmdotCom_En) June 30, 2018
This was met with fuming responses from the Arsenal faithful who were expecting the 36-year-old shot-stopper to exit the Emirates this summer following the German’s arrival, with comments including “please man, get a move on” and “just go Cech.”
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
https://twitter.com/i_shaikh82/status/1013124577520701441
https://twitter.com/I_am_Dharyore/status/1013097821615083520
He ain't fighting for jack, he only joined us cos he wanted to stay in London. Out you get Petr.
— Sven's diamond eye (@RodrigoHalop) June 30, 2018
Basically he's happy earning 100k pw sat on bench while he stays in the home he and his family love which was the main reason he came to us. Good second choice mind
— KristianJames (@kjdenman92) June 30, 2018
? looks like he’s staying. Hopefully Leno gets the nudge early on for the #1
— redwhitegooner (@RedWhite_Gooner) June 30, 2018
FFS….just go #Cech, just go!
— FugaziFC (@ThankYouMesut) June 30, 2018
I'd take him as back up of ospina to be fair
— Rob Slusar (@robslusar7) June 30, 2018
Oh no! His future at what age? Please man ,get a move on. We Have Leno and Martinez should be in .
— Chuky Unadulterated (@ChukyUnfazed) June 30, 2018
OPINION
The news of Cech’s intention to stay at the Emirates does not seem to have gone down well with the Arsenal fans, who seem to be calling for his departure. At 36, time is against him compared to new keeper Leno, but that does not mean the supporters should rule him out completely. Even if he is not the regular number one, he would make a reliable second-choice of whom can be trusted. The reactions from the supporters are a bit harsh considering what Cech has achieved throughout his career, and they need to bear in mind what he has done for them during his time in North London.