The biggest goalkeeping transfer for the EPL so far, this early on in negotations, is Cech's move to Arsenal. There were a lot of comments being made linking them and by ex-Gunners goalies about how great Cech would be, and gathering momentum about Cech being the perfect fit; his experience, his maturity to lead a young team (which Wenger seems to favour right now), will pay huge dividends going forward.
After Courtois took the reins once he'd been given the chance by 'the Special One', it was guaranteed that Cech would go. Whilst he would be a great mentor, this isn't the time in his career when he should be warming the bench, and Arsenal are a gift in disguise; saving him and also saving Arsenal who have had no legacy in goal since the days of Seaman.
The good
Cech walks into the starting job even if he'll be a little rusty for regular games; he can get back his confidence and lead from the front. Arsenal give Cech the chance to fight for Champions League placings and beyond, whilst Cech can be the missing piece in the puzzle to win the league. Cech has a proven CV of experience and the mindset to back it up - he can leave a good impression on the youth and help them develop to top tier players.
The bad
Arsenal are one of the few teams in the league that truly play a counter-attacking system (Tottenham - ironically - and Liverpool being the others), which requires good kicking ability, and Cech isn't known as a sweeper keeper, which would be needed for this role without changing the playstyle and press of the team. Whilst Cech is an amazing shot stopper, it's a bit late to add this element to make him a really modern footballer (i.e. akin to what we're seeing in Ter Stegen). He's not used to playing behind a high line that forces him to play aggressively, or kick to touch on a breakaway, so this could prove difficult for the two to marry technique.
The ugly?
Szczesny could be an issue. He's not the kind of goalkeeper that wants to warm benches either! Ambitious to say the least. He's already known to cause a bit of a stir in the dressing room and in the papers, . Arsenal don't need . And they have a pretty poor track record of managing goalkeepers and goalie relationships. Remember the Lehmann - Almunia saga? And more. Ospina was brought in after a strong World Cup and will also be looking to move for games (to move forwards for another cup and keep in the running for his international selection), and is now no longer needed.
Whatever happens though, Arsenal have just saved Cech's career (there are no other teams in the league looking for a goalkeeper of his calibre, and he could have ended up at another club with no European football etc. etc.) and Cech could save the Gunner's reputation.
After Courtois took the reins once he'd been given the chance by 'the Special One', it was guaranteed that Cech would go. Whilst he would be a great mentor, this isn't the time in his career when he should be warming the bench, and Arsenal are a gift in disguise; saving him and also saving Arsenal who have had no legacy in goal since the days of Seaman.
The good
Cech walks into the starting job even if he'll be a little rusty for regular games; he can get back his confidence and lead from the front. Arsenal give Cech the chance to fight for Champions League placings and beyond, whilst Cech can be the missing piece in the puzzle to win the league. Cech has a proven CV of experience and the mindset to back it up - he can leave a good impression on the youth and help them develop to top tier players.
The bad
Arsenal are one of the few teams in the league that truly play a counter-attacking system (Tottenham - ironically - and Liverpool being the others), which requires good kicking ability, and Cech isn't known as a sweeper keeper, which would be needed for this role without changing the playstyle and press of the team. Whilst Cech is an amazing shot stopper, it's a bit late to add this element to make him a really modern footballer (i.e. akin to what we're seeing in Ter Stegen). He's not used to playing behind a high line that forces him to play aggressively, or kick to touch on a breakaway, so this could prove difficult for the two to marry technique.
The ugly?
Szczesny could be an issue. He's not the kind of goalkeeper that wants to warm benches either! Ambitious to say the least. He's already known to cause a bit of a stir in the dressing room and in the papers, . Arsenal don't need . And they have a pretty poor track record of managing goalkeepers and goalie relationships. Remember the Lehmann - Almunia saga? And more. Ospina was brought in after a strong World Cup and will also be looking to move for games (to move forwards for another cup and keep in the running for his international selection), and is now no longer needed.
Whatever happens though, Arsenal have just saved Cech's career (there are no other teams in the league looking for a goalkeeper of his calibre, and he could have ended up at another club with no European football etc. etc.) and Cech could save the Gunner's reputation.
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