Is this Former Chelsea Superstar, the Best Man to Play at Arsenal after David Seaman?

Many have criticised the transfer policy of Arsene Wenger over the years, the fact that he does not spend enough to strengthen his squad has often come back to haunt him in the long road of the Premier League title race. We have seen how his teams have capitulated post-December either due to a dip in form or the numerous injuries, which for some reason happens more at Arsenal than any other club.

While Arsenal are still reeling under the problems of injuries to players this season, one signing was all the French manager made for the club. That was the signing of experienced Premier League veteran Petr Cech from Chelsea. It was a surprise to see Jose Mourinho give up such a talented football to a direct rival and it has paid off for Arsenal this season.

Petr Cech Arsenal

While Arsene sent Szczesny out on loan at Roma, Petr Cech didn’t start the season in the best way by conceding two goals in a 2-0 home loss against West Ham United but his performances have gotten better as the season has progressed and he has added something to the Arsenal backline that has been missing since the days of David Season, authority and dependability between the sticks.

Cech could be the best goalkeeper in years for Arsenal

David Seaman is a legend at Arsenal, apart from the World Cup in 2002 when Ronaldinho caught him off his line, the Arsenal goalkeeper is probably one of the best English goalkeepers to have played the modern game and Arsenal have lacked someone even remotely as good as Seaman over the years.

It isn’t due to a lack of options, Arsenal have tried a range of goalkeepers, starting from the hot-headed Jens Lehmann to Lukas Fabianski to Manuel Almunia, almost every goalkeeper has had their follies which has cost Arsenal sometime or another. Even the latest signing, David Ospina had a recent howler in the Champions League which cost Arsenal at least a draw at home.

Petr Cech is a leader at the back, Arsenal have needed someone like this for years and at only 33-years-old, Cech, unlike most other positions which require players to mull retirement at this age, can continue notching up appearances and performing to the highest level. Just like Gianluigi Buffon, Cech can play for years on end and as in the case of most goalkeepers, get better.

Petr Cech

Arsenal didn’t buy any outfield player in the summer transfer window, unheard of in the Premier League context, but the signing they made was one of the most important. Cech has experience of winning titles, medals and of leading from the back. The defence will be accentuated with the composure and reliability of Cech, we saw that against Liverpool where the Czech goalkeeper did extremely well to keep the likes of Coutinho and Benteke out.

Cech might have been one of the more economical buys in this transfer window but in the case of Arsenal, he could be their greatest buy this season and easily is the best goalkeeper they have got since the days of David Seaman. The question that needs to be asked is, can Arsenal win the league with this squad?

The three secrets of Barcelona star Neymar's adaptation

When Neymar Jr goes out to play he turns the pitch into a huge canvas. He comes from the classic Brazilian school. The Barcelona No 11 is a prodigy of individual technique. His happiness, like with Garrincha, comes from dribbling.

Neymar, however, differs from his compatriots, by being the first "crack" from his country that has run his career so far in a 100 per cent professional way.

From when he exploded at Santos FC in 2010, at just 18, a project was organised around him to give him the fundamentals to go on and win a Ballon d'Or. 

With his family company NR Sports, it wasn't just about image rights, but a comprehensive vision encompassing speech therapy, psychology, 'media training' and personalized fitness. 'Ney' was formed on and off the pitch.

"Neymar Jr is a perfectionist, sometimes it's better to say nothing because he's obsessed, he knows perfectly where he's gone wrong and can improve," said his coach at Santos, Muricy Ramalho. 

The main challenge Ney had when arriving at Barcelona was not to compete with Messi, and much less stoke up memories of Ronaldo, Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. His opponent was himself. His process of adaptation was completely different to the 4Rs - all of them had come to the Camp Nou after playing for a different European club. 

His professional environment took work. Neymar's father told SPORT: "Neymar Jr is a Brazilian footballer who comes from a culture that trains twice a day and plays many more game. The first year we realized that the culture of Europe is a single workout with more intensity, Neymar needed to know how the new system worked." 

And after the first year, Neymar and his father decided to establish in Barcelona their own sports structure, with two professionls from Santos FC, whom they knew perfectly: Ricardo Rosa as a trainer and the physiotherapist Rafael Martini. They subsequently denied that the decision did not sit well with some of the Blaugrana coaching staff.

"We coordinated with Barcelona and introduced his own trainer and a physiotherapist, we judge it necessary to leave Neymar in the best possible physical condition along with the club and the results have come - Neymar has a higher percentage of finishes [in games], we managed to protect him from injuries," said his father.

"It is true that Neymar has gained muscle mass, but we are looking for other things, this structure is to prevent certain injuries occurring, preventive work is done."

Meanwhile, the forward was very receptive to the indications of the club. "The club nutritionist changed his diet," added his father. "Culturally this is something difficult for Brazilians, who have a base of rice and beans."

"Everything changes with respect to Brazil. Schedules, habits need to adapt and we have done everything possible to speed up this process, last year this was ok, we won the treble, and this year we go for more!"