Arsenal have been without goalkeeper Petr Čech for two Premier League games and an FA Cup exit but he is aiming to return on Saturday afternoon when Watford travel to north London.

The 33-year-old missed the international break due to a calf injury picked up against Swansea City at the beginning of March but is hoping to be back this weekend to face the Hornets.

“But I should be fine after the national team break. It’s nothing serious. I’m still motivated and excited for each training,” Čech said in an interview.

The Arsenal goalkeeper was signed from Chelsea last summer for around £11m. At the time, some said it was a lot of money for a player his age but he has been excellent, for the most part, since his move to north London.

As a goalkeeper there’s nothing to suggest Čech’s high level of performance is on the verge of slowing down and he is unwilling to rule out he could be between the posts for another seven years, when he hits 40.

“As long as I’m positive that I’m a hundred percent ready to go to training when I get up in the morning, my career will go on. It’ll also depend on how my body takes it. So far so good.”

So far so good, indeed.

Hopefully his body is fully repaired soon so he is back in action for the Gunners. The title race isn’t over but, 11 points behind Leicester City, Arsène Wenger’s men can’t afford any slip-ups and need every little advantage they can find. Having Čech back in goal would be a big one.