Petr Cech will recover to have a 'fantastic season' at Arsenal, says Gunners legend Jens Lehmann

Cech made two poor errors in Arsenal's defeat to West Ham

Tom Sheen
Thursday 13 August 2015 10:33 BST
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(AFP/Getty Images)

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Arsenal Invincible Jens Lehmann believes Petr Cech will bounce back from the poor start to his season to have a "fantastic" campaign for the Gunners.

Cech, 33, was touted as a potential difference-maker for Arsenal in the Premier League race, with players and pundits stating that the former Chelsea man could be worth at least 10 points to the club.

But the goalkeeper had a nightmare debut and was to blame for both goals as Arsenal slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.

Lehmann, who was in goal during Arsenal's last title win - the 'Invincible' season in 2004 - was surprised by Cech's performance but believes he can bounce back.

"It surprised me because I expected him to be really good from the beginning," Lehmann told Goal.com.

"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.

"On the other hand, Chelsea disappointed him because he couldn’t play there last season. 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."

Jens Lehmann pictured for Arsenal in 2011
Jens Lehmann pictured for Arsenal in 2011

Lehmann believes Cech is the goalkeeper that Arsenal have been missing in the barren spell since their last title.

"He is the goalkeeper Arsenal need to win the title," Lehmann added. "He’s got the experience, he’s got most of the ingredients that a fantastic goalkeeper needs and he is among the best ever goalkeepers.

"It depends on him. I haven’t spoken to him, so I don’t know how he feels physically now, but I think he’s still got some great years to perform at this level. He will give confidence to the whole team, but of course he has to perform."

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