by Lewis Ambrose

Monday saw Arsenal complete a deal for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech and the goalkeeper has said he wants to play until he reaches 40.

At around £11M the deal has been met with a little bit of scrutiny, with Čech’s age under the microscope.

The Czech international is 33 years old, barely played last season, and the deal made him the ninth most expensive ‘keeper in the history of the game – is he worth it?

Well he certainly will be if he plays until he is 40, meaning he still has seven years left.

“I don’t want to speak about retirement for another seven years. That’s my target and then I will see,” said Arsenal’s new man.

“You can have a plan but, sometimes, it doesn’t turn out the way you want.

“This move is one of those things I didn’t expect — but I’m glad it happened.

“In football you never know what’s round the corner and retirement is something I don’t plan.”

Manchester United managed to sign Edwin van der Sar at the same age, and he was a superb buy keeping the number one shirt until he retired at the game of 40 in 2011 – so why can’t Čech do the same?

The goalkeeper certainly seems to have the same motivation he has always had.

“I’m just looking forward to my new challenge. I’ll just go in, do my work and show I am worthy of a place.

“As a player, it is training, travel, hotel and play.

“This is why one part of me might say after 23 years as a professional I have had enough of this, that I want to do something else.”

As long as Čech can maintain that level of motivation and love of the game, Arsenal have got themselves an absolute bargain.