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Arsene Wenger on whether Petr Cech will start against Palace…

By mac14 on April 15, 2016

Arsene Wenger has refused to disclose whether Petr Cech will be recalled to the starting eleven when Arsenal take on Crystal Palace this weekend.

Cech missed four weeks with a calf injury before returning to the bench for our comfortable victory over Watford earlier this month having only had one days training prior to the game.

Having then got a full weeks training under his belt, the Czech international was expected to return between the sticks for our vital clash against West Ham last weekend as we looked for a win that would keep alive our slim title hopes.

However, much to the dismay of many fans, Cech was once again left on the bench and watched-on as Ospina conceded three goals during a hugely disappointing 3-3 draw that all-but ended any hopes of catching Leicester City.

Opsina wasn’t particularly at fault for any of the goals at Upton Park but it was still a strange decision from Wenger to leave his No.1 on the bench for such an important match.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this morning, Arsene was asked whether Cech will get a recall against Palace this weekend but the boss gave little away after insisting he hasn’t yet picked his line-up for Sunday’s game.

Wenger did, however, confirm that Cech is still our No.1 and while he also describes Ospina as a ‘fantastic goalkeeper’ who has ‘exceptional’ numbers in the Premier League, he suggested that he left Petr out at West Ham as he had only recently returned from a calf problem.

Wenger is quoted as saying by teamtalk:

“I have not decided on the team,” he said.

“Petr is our No.1 but Ospina is a fantastic goalkeeper. His numbers are exceptional in the Premier League and I felt Cech was just coming back.”

Given that Cech has now been back in full training for over two weeks, there is no reason for him not to start against Palace this weekend.

The boss doesn’t like to change a winning line-up but the performance at West Ham should open the door for some changes this weekend with Aaron Ramsey also pushing for a recall along with Cech.