• Cech is already thinking of Community Shield against Chelsea on 2 August • ‘The team spirit is extraordinary. Everybody pulls in the same direction’

Petr Cech has praised Arsenal’s “extraordinary team spirit” and feels that the balance of experience and youth can give Arsène Wenger’s side an advantage over their rivals in their hunt for silverware this season.

Win tickets to see Arsenal at the Emirates Cup Read more

Arsenal return from Singapore this week, having beaten both a Singapore Select XI and Everton in the Asia Trophy, and will host the Emirates Cup this weekend – a pre-season tournament with Lyon and Wolfsburg – to prepare for the Community Shield against Chelsea on 2 August.

“What I’ve found is a group of players who work very hard and are focused on what they are doing on the pitch to get ready. I’ve found the team spirit quite extraordinary. Everybody pulls in the same direction, which is why I believe we will have a successful season. If you have a game with two big teams it’s decided by the little details,” Cech told the Times.

Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic unhappy over Petr Cech’s sale to Arsenal Read more

“We have a good balance. We have players with a lot of experience, who have won the World Cup for example, and young players who want to prove their point and play as much as possible. We have experienced players and hungry players so that balance gives us an advantage,” he added.

Cech is taking nothing for granted as he hopes to convince Wenger he is worthy of starting the Community Shield ahead of Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina.

“I hope to be on the winning side again, it’s as simple as that,” Cech continued. “I play football to win games and obviously I will be facing Chelsea soon, so I want to beat them. There are a lot of things in common between the two clubs.

“Anything can happen here, but I have now have a fresh start to compete for my place. It’s up to me how well I do.”