Arsenal seeking top 4 finish in new EPL season: Petr Cech
After two consecutive seasons of finishing outside the top four in the English Premier League (EPL), Arsenal is determined to achieve automatic qualification for the Champions League at the end of the upcoming EPL season, said veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech in Singapore on Friday (27 July).
“This is a basic target but you always want to add to that so we will try to win as many games as possible, and we work hard to be prepared to compete in every competition,” said Cech.
Cech was speaking to the media at the launch of Arsenal’s third kit at the Esplanade ahead of the club’s second match in the International Champions Cup (ICC) against French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Also present at the launch alongside the 36-year-old Czech were his Arsenal teammates Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Arsenal lost its opening game in the ICC in a penalty shootout to Atletico Madrid after a 1-1 draw in regulation time on Wednesday (25 July).
Cech said the ICC is a “great test” for Arsenal as it prepares for the EPL season, with the players being able to play against quality opposition.
“We have a new manager so he has time to get to know the players, and we get time to know what he wants to do. These kinds of games are very useful in pre-season,” Cech said.
The team has been training hard under new manager Unai Emery, the goalkeeper added. Emery, a 46-year-old Spaniard, was appointed in May following the end of a 22-year stint at the club by his predecessor, Frenchman Arsene Wenger.
“Unai is different to Arsene in terms of how he prepares and how he works. But one thing is similar is Arsenal’s way of playing football, building from the back and playing football on the ground,” Cech said.
Lacazette said he wants to help the club achieve the top four target and win trophies in the upcoming season.
On the club’s experience in Singapore, Lacazette said the players have been overwhelmed by the support from the “respectful” Arsenal fans here.
“They show their love. We can see it every time we come by to the hotel or the stadium. They are happy to see us, so we are happy,” he added.
