Leaving Chelsea for Arsenal was an immensely difficult decision for this popular Blues icon
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Petr Cech, Granit Xhaka, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Alex Lacazette, Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock
Petr Cech lived in London for the entirety of his football career in England(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Petr Cech insisted his desire to lead Arsenal to Premier League and Champions League success was behind his decision to leave Chelsea.
The former goalkeeper spent the last 15 years of his football career living in England, but will be rooting against the country when they face the Czech Republic in Prague on Tuesday (September 29) in the Nations League.
Cech's decade-and-a-half stay in London saw him represent two of the biggest clubs in the capital, with the 44-year-old having spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge from 2004 to 2015. He played 494 times for the Blues and played a major role in the 13 major honours he won at the club, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
The former Czech keeper opted to seek pastures new after losing his place to Thibaut Courtois in the 2014/15 season, which saw him end his time at Chelsea with a league title and the League Cup.
Cech believed he still had something to offer on the pitch and the proposal from Arsene Wenger gave him the opportunity to showcase that he could still perform at the highest level.
Petr Cech won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012. (Photo by sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)
Petr Cech won 13 major honours in 11 years at Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Cech spoke about his reasoning for joining Chelsea's bitter rivals three years after making the move to the Emirates Stadium. "It was the hardest decision I have made," he told the BBC's Premier League Show.
"I felt so good and in good form that it would be a waste to sit on the bench. I considered [the fans] heavily but sometimes you need to make the right decisions. I had offers from different clubs and different leagues but I wanted to stay in the Premier League."
The Gunners were in the midst of their lengthy league title drought, which Cech believed he could help end, alongside his aim to bring the Champions League to north London for the first time. He explained: "The main decision was the challenge of bringing back the title.
Petr Cech and Arsene Wenger speaking on the Arsenal's pre-season tour
The former goalkeeper lost his place to Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge(Image: getty images)
View 3 Images
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
"We have never won the Champions League as Arsenal Football Club. That was another part. I won everything with Chelsea, why not try do the same with Arsenal. That was my motivation and it still is. Every day I go to work and do my best because I believe it is achievable."
Cech was unable to succeed in his two aims, but did pick up his fifth FA Cup medal when Arsenal defeated his former club in the 2017 final. He played 139 games for the Gunners before calling time on his 20-year career at the end of the 2018/19 season.