FBL-EURO-2016-MATCH31-CZE-TUR — Czech Republic's goalkeeper Petr Cech reacts after conceding a goal during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Czech Republic and Turkey at Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens on June 21, 2016. / AFP / PHILIPPE HUGUEN (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Petr Cech: We thought we were good enough, we need to improve

Cech is looking forward to the new season

Jul 8, 2016

Petr Cech recently spoke about Arsenal’s next season, improving, and starting the campaign against Liverpool.

The goalkeeper admitted that Arsenal were disappointed not to win the title last season, and that although finishing second – the highest we have in years – was good, we still need to improve in order to challenge next season.

“We were disappointed,” the 34-year-old said.

“We thought that we were good enough to challenge for the title and to be in the title race until the last game. Unfortunately, Leicester did remarkably well and it was a historical achievement for them.”

Next season, there will be a little more rivalry between us and Leicester, not just because of the fact that they won the League but because of our failure to lure Jamie Vardy to north London. He’ll want to show us what we’ve missed out on and prove his value, while we’ll want him to flop.

“We couldn’t match them but we finished second which was the best finish for Arsenal for a long time. There were a lot of positives from our last campaign but obviously we would like to carry that on and improve for the next season because we finished empty-handed and that is not what we wanted.

“We started well with the Community Shield but obviously you want to add some important trophies to that. The aim for the next season is to add some silverware to the cabinet and we will definitely work for that.”

The Foxes (away) are our second fixture of the 2016/17 calendar but our first match is against Liverpool at the Emirates – a challenge which Cech claims he relishes.

“It’s always nice to start with a big one because it brings all the excitement – doubles the excitement – from the players’ point of view and everyone else’s.

“It’s great to really have a test in the first game and then you can kick on your season if you start it the right way.

“Liverpool will be one of those teams who will want to challenge for the title, having played well with Jurgen Klopp after his arrival.

541964552 petr cech of czech republic shows his gettyimages — LENS, FRANCE – JUNE 21: Petr Cech of Czech Republic shows his despair at the final whistle after the UEFA EURO 2016 Group D match between Czech Republic and Turkey at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on June 21, 2016 in Lens, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

“We expect a big challenge because [Manchester] United have been improving their squad, they’ve changed their manager and they’ll be hungry for success.

“Man City with their new manager will do the same thing and let’s not forget Liverpool and Spurs and us, I think it will be a very exciting season and will be very challenging for many reasons. Chelsea will definitely be there with Antonio Conte.

“We’re in for an exciting season.”

The Czech international featured for us 42 times in all competitions last season and although he did show that he still has weaknesses in his game, he was still one of our stand-out players. I’m sure he’ll have been working on his near post saves over the summer…