by Lewis Ambrose

Mark Bosnich, formerly of Chelsea and Manchester United, has backed Arsenal to challenge for the Premier League title next year.

The former goalkeeper, who played 22 times for Australia, has said that Arsenal will be right up there if they sign current Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Bosnich spent three years at Chelsea but only represented the club seven times.

As well as playing for Aston Villa, Bosnich was also at Manchester United in two short spells.

The 1999/2000 season saw Bosnich play 23 times for Manchester United as they went on to win the Premier League – he knows what it takes, and he thinks Arsenal are close.

“If Petr Cech does go to Arsenal and they do pick up another quality player, either an attacking midfielder or another striker, I really do think Arsenal are going to be a major threat for the title,” Bosnich told talkSPORT.

It is clear that Jose Mourinho remains reluctant to let Cech join Arsenal, but the 33 year-old goalkeeper seems to have his heart set on a move and is hoping Roman Abramovich will sanction the deal.

“I can understand why Cech would want to stay in the Premier League,” said Bosnich.

“It tells me he still thinks he is good enough to play for a top side, which he is, and he probably feels hard done by because he has done nothing wrong at Chelsea.”

Place

Cech lost his place to young goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois last season as Chelsea went on to win the Premier League title.

The goalkeeper clearly believes he has a few years left at the very top and would capitalise on the unsure situation at Arsenal with manager Arsène Wenger appearing to have doubts over both David Ospina and Wojciech Szczesny.

As well as ability Cech would add a huge amount of experience and a winning mentality to the Arsenal dressing room, and it looks more and more likely that the player will get his wish.