Arsenal: Petr Cech Brings Important Change To Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has stated that Petr Cech is disheartened by Arsenal’s defensive woes. The experienced goalkeeper is bringing an important change to Wenger.

For many years Arsenal have been heavily criticised for many crucial attributes as they try to end their 12-year title drought. Their mental toughness, their leadership and their communication have all been rightly called into question. However, perhaps more than any other, it is their defensive woes that have held this team hostage.

Arsene Wenger started his career in North London with so much success with the foundation of a solid defensive unit. The likes of Tony Adams, Sol Campbell and Martin Keown anchored a fearsome defence that, combined with Wenger’s attacking football, culminated in a formidable side.

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However, since the early glory days, Wenger has been unable to reassemble such a solid defence. This season it has once again held them back and Petr Cech is unhappy. Speaking before Sunday’s game with Manchester City, Wenger stated:

"“Yes, of course [that hurts his pride] and I think that at the moment that’s where we can improve and that’s what we want to focus on. We have to keep more clean sheets than we do at the moment. But Petr has done extremely well. In a team like ours you have one or two saves to make in every game, and that means he has needed talent, of course, but as well focus and concentration to do that, to stay in the game when it looks like you will not be involved a lot. He has, in every single game, made one or two decisive saves.”"

They are very telling comments, primarily because of the focus that Wenger now holds. In the past, Wenger has often been naive in the big games, looking to challenge the best teams blow-for-blow and, inevitably, coming off worse. However, more recently, he is changing his approach, and Cech may well be to thank.

The experienced keeper clearly has a voice in the dressing room, is listened to by both his teammates and his manager, and boasts a vast understanding of the game. More than just his shot-stopping abilities, Cech brings an unheralded amount of experience to what is otherwise a young collection of players.

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Arsenal have conceded 17 goals in the Premier League so far this season, six worse than league leaders Chelsea and only bettered than the Blues, Spurs and Southampton. However, they only have four clean sheets, ninth best in the league. The continual leaking of goals, if not significant is consistent and damaging. Cech, though, is trying hard to stem the tide and Wenger may well be listening to him.

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