Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated that Petr Cech is one of his best-ever signings and that the goalkeeper has added real quality to the North London team.

The Czech Republic international was a legend at London rivals Chelsea, but lost his starting berth to Thibaut Courtois last season.

Desperate for first-team football, Cech crossed the city to join the Gunners and has commanded the number one shirt this season.

The Gunners have had issues between the sticks in recent years, but the experienced stopper has added an assurance as the last line of defence.

Ahead of Arsenal’s mouth-watering clash with Manchester City on Monday night, Wenger has been signing the praises of his goalkeeper and admits that he wished he had signed the custodian ahead of Chelsea in 2004.

“There was no work permit issue or anything because he went to Chelsea from Rennes and we could have been quicker maybe on the day than Chelsea, especially because I know his agent very well,” Wenger told The Telegraph.

“He was a goalkeeper as well, Frederic Dobraje, and we were maybe not sharp and quick enough.

“I think Cech has brought his experience and his calm and his leadership as well. He has done it all, so he is someone who gives you an aura, a charisma that is always ­important in the big games for the ­players.

“You always look around you in the dressing room before a big game and you think, ‘Are we strong enough?’ And these kind of faces help you to ­believe it.

“There is no history of teams winning things without having a great goalkeeper. I’m now 30 years in the job and you learn that the goalkeeper is the most underrated position in football – and maybe the most vital one for winning things.”

Cech’s arrival has seen Wojciech Szczesny sent out on loan to Roma, while David Ospina has been demoted to the back-up position.

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