by Nia Griffiths

Petr Cech played his debut match for us against Everton on Saturday and spoke after the game about match fitness, competing when you’re tired and how it felt to make his first appearance for his new club.

The goalkeeper said he was delighted with the win and first piece of silverware. Even though the two matches against Singapore Select XI and Everton in the Barclays Asia Trophy were only pre-season friendlies, winning and doing it in emphatic fashion is great for the team’s mentality when heading into a new season.

Petr Cech of Arsenal signs autographs for fans during the Arsenal FC open training ahead of the match between Arsenal and Singapore
SINGAPORE – JULY 14: New signing Petr Cech of Arsenal signs autographs for fans during the Arsenal FC open training ahead of the match between Arsenal and Singapore during the 2015 Barclays Asia Trophy Tournament at the Sports Hub National Stadium on July 14, 2015 in Singapore. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

“It’s great to win a game,” the Czech international admitted. “The main importance was to get fit and to play well, to get ready for the Premier League and the early competitions. It was the first game for me and the first game for some other lads, but I really enjoyed the team effort we put in and in the end we had a very good game.”

He continued, “I’m very pleased because the first game is very important and I obviously wanted to have a successful debut. I’m happy – my first game and my first trophy. If it can continue like this I will be delighted.”

The 33-year-old reflected on the past week and how hard the team has been working to raise their fitness level.

“It’s been a great week because we’ve been working hard,” he said. “We had two very positive games, and we can go back home to London happy and glad with what we achieved here. The main target was to get fit and it’s important that even when you are tired you win games.”

After being benched for Chelsea except for the odd match (16 in total) last season, Cech seems keen to get started and really cement his place in goal for our first team. Despite probably being a bit rusty on his debut, he managed to pull off a gravity-defying save to prevent Everton from scoring.

“Everything has been great but [the most memorable moment was] probably my debut,” Cech said. “When you play your first game, everybody has a big expectation and you win a game, [so] it is something to always remember.”

I’m sure he’ll only get better.