Arsenal's Petr Cech delighted to end 'frustrating' wait for landmark clean sheet
Sunday 11 March 2018 17:00, UK
Petr Cech admitted it was a "frustrating" wait to secure his 200th Premier League clean sheet but the Arsenal goalkeeper hailed his "unbelievable personal milestone".
The former Chelsea 'keeper became the first player to reach the 200 mark in the Premier League era when he shut out Watford at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Cech more than played his part, saving a second-half penalty from Troy Deeney to help the Gunners secure a much-needed 3-0 victory.
The last time the 35-year-old kept a clean sheet in the league came back on December 16, when Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 at home, and he was relieved to finally get over the line.
"It's an unbelievable personal milestone, obviously," Cech told Sky Sports.
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"We took only 18 games to get nine clean sheets at the start of the season to reach the 199 and we had to wait 11 games [to get to 200], which is sometimes frustrating.
"But the most important thing is when the team wins."
The Czech Republic international's save from Deeney was also the first penalty he has kept out in an Arsenal shirt.
Cech, who joined the Gunners from Chelsea in 2015, is way ahead of his nearest rival in terms of clean sheets in the Premier League era.
Former England goalkeeper David James, who retired in 2014, is second on the list with 169, while Mark Schwarzer is third with 151.
Joe Hart, on loan with West Ham, is the highest-placed 'keeper currently playing in England's top-flight in 11th with 122 clean sheets.
Despite a day to remember on a personal note, Cech was also pleased to see Arsenal pick up their first Premier League win since February 3.
He added: "When you are in the difficult moment and you have a run of results which go against you, you need to look at yourself and find the way out.
"It was not as easy as the score says because we scored those goals in the right moments."
