Andy Cole praises Arsenal over Petr Cech transfer

Andy Cole says Petr Cech is proving money well spent for Arsenal after the goalkeeper’s performance in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

The £10m summer signing denied Newcastle duo Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum before Arsenal centre-half Laurent Koscielny scored a 72nd-minute winner at The Emirates.

Cech moved to Arsenal in a controversial deal from defending Premier League champions Chelsea after falling behind Belgium international Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Former Arsenal striker Cole, who is the Premier League’s third highest goal-scorer of all-time, explained why Cech has proven such a key signing for the Gunners.

“Money well spent [on Cech],” Cole told Goals On Sunday.

“Arsenal have been crying out for a goalkeeper. It was days like yesterday that Petr Cech earned his money.

“They should have lost to Newcastle, but Petr Cech produced a world-class performance and Arsenal came away with three points.”

Cech kept a Premier League record 170th clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over promoted side Bournemouth on Monday night, eclipsing David James’s tally of 169.

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Arsenal are two points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of second-placed Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City side.