Wenger: Cech could be the key factor against Chelsea

Arsene Wenger hopes Petr Cech will play a vital role in securing a victory when Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper spent over a decade with Chelsea, enjoying a successful spell, winning numerous individual and team honours, before making the £10m switch to north London this summer.

Arsenal have struggled to match Chelsea in head to heads in recent years, though the Gunners did manage to topple the champions in the Community Shield, and Wenger believes his new shot-stopper's experience and aura could have a contributing factor to more success.

“You know you have to score the perfect goal in front of him,” the French boss insisted.

“I just want him to focus on this game and not be influenced by the occasion. You can’t go there and wonder if you’re standing in the right goal or not.

"It is always difficult to go back to your club and play but fortunately he has handled that this season. That is why I decided to play him in the Community Shield. It is the first step that is important and he has dealt very well with it.”

Wenger's side have won just four of their last 29 matches against Chelsea in all competitions but the 65-year-old now feels his side have the physicality to handle the opposition.

“That is part of the key of the game,” he said. “Hopefully we will have defensive strength.”

“For us it’s a big game and we know our position at the end of the season will depend on how well we do in the big games.

“I do not think too much about where Chelsea stand in the league at the moment. I focus more on us performing well with full power.”