Petr Cech to retire: Arsenal legend Bob Wilson ‘absolutely shocked’ by goalkeeper’s decision to end career at 36
Gunners great insists the veteran gloveman has plenty of years left in him at the top level, and admits his nerves about Bernd Leno
Legendary Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson has told talkSPORT he is ‘absolutely shocked’ by Petr Cech’s decision to retire at the age of 36.
Four-time Premier League winner Cech, who has lost his place as the Gunners’ number one to Bernd Leno this season, revealed on Tuesday that he will hang up his gloves at the end of the campaign.
The veteran goalkeeper – described by Wilson as ‘an amazing human being, a really great guy and an absolute gentleman’ – is undoubtedly one of the best ever to grace the English game and will end his career as the all-time Premier League record holder for the most clean sheets.
But Wilson insists the 36-year-old is still good enough to play at the very top level, and has been left baffled by Cech’s decision to call time on his glittering career at his age.
Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White, the Gunners great said: “I’m absolutely shocked, I’m truly in shock.
“Three weeks ago I went up to the training ground and I went over to see Bernd Leno and Petr, I watched the two of them and was very impressed. You could see no difference whatsoever between him and Leno, his reactions were absolutely up there.
“In my opinion, at his age it quite shocks me.
“Petr Cech is still capable of playing at the very highest level of the game, without any question.
“Of course he’s a modern day player so he’s not like Peter Shilton at 43, Pat Jennings retired on his 41st birthday, David Seaman was in his 41st year.
“He’s won a multitude of things with Chelsea and won the FA Cup with Arsenal as well, so the players of today are often in a position to retire and maybe not work for the rest of their lives.
“I’m really surprised he’s going as early as he is.”
Wilson also admitted he is not completely convinced by 26-year-old Germany international Leno, saying he is sometimes left ‘pulling his hair out’ over his performances.
The £19million summer signing had to bide his time for regular first-team action for Arsenal, but is now the preferred No.1 under Unai Emery.
Leno has faced criticism for a number of mistakes this term, and Wilson is concerned by the goalkeeper’s weakness in dealing with crosses – saying Cech remains one of the best in the country.
He added: “The sad thing for me is this: Due to the speed of the modern ball, modern goalkeepers are really, really dodgy when it comes to crosses.
“But Petr Cech remains the best Premier League goalkeeper in helping out his defence by catching crosses.
“Leno is learning and he’s a tremendous shot stopper, but on crosses he punches, punches, punches.
“I’m at all the Arsenal home games and I’m pulling out my hair in that situation.
“What your defence needs is to kill that move and Cech does that with authority.”
Listen back to talkSPORT's interview with Bob Wilson IN FULL above