Jens Lehmann didn’t taste defeat in his first 47 Premier League games for Arsenal, so he probably doesn’t quite know how Petr Čech feels.

But he does know the highs and lows of life as a goalkeeper, and is backing the new signing from Chelsea to recover after a horror debut saw West Ham win 2-0 at the Emirates, with Čech arguably culpable for both goals.

“It surprised me because I expected him to be really good from the beginning,” Lehmann told Goal in America, where he is currently on a tour to promote the Bundesliga.

“But sometimes it takes a while to adapt to a new club, particularly when you are coming from a major enemy like Chelsea. It takes time, if he can forget about it at all.”

I’m not sure why it makes any difference that Chelsea are the club he has joined from, but I won’t go against what Mad Jens says.

Čech was dropped to the bench as Thibaut Courtois was favoured last season and Lehmann believes he could be inspired to prove himself for the Gunners.

“Chelsea disappointed him because he couldn’t play there last season,” said the former Germany goalkeeper. “He has seen the cruelty in football – you are a hero one year and the next year you are not even playing any more.

“That could spur him on to play a fantastic season for Arsenal.”

When at the peak of his powers, Čech helped Chelsea win the Champions League and boasts four Premier League winners from his time at Stamford Bridge. Hopefully last Sunday was just a blip and he can get back to his best ahead of this weekend’s trip to Selhurst Park.