Arsene Wenger says he had doubts about whether to sign Petr Cech from Chelsea after the veteran goalkeeper spent a season on the bench at Stamford Bridge.
Cech has been hailed as one of the signings of the season after helping stabilise Arsenal's defence and help lead the Gunners to top spot in the Premier League ahead of their meeting with Chelsea on Sunday. The Blues, meanwhile, are languishing in 14th place after a dismal season that included a long injury layoff for No. 1 keeper Thibaut Courtois.
But Wenger said it was a tough decision to buy Cech in the summer and force David Ospina to go back to being a backup. Especially since the 33-year-old Cech had spent most of the previous season as the backup to Courtois.
"I didn't know what kind of shape he was in physically because he hadn't played. When I met him I was quickly reassured of his desire to do well and his motivation. I didn't know how much he could still produce physically," Wenger told newspaper reporters. "He hadn't played and was battling a drop in physical aptitude but I knew the potential was exceptional having played against him for 11 years in the Premier League.
"It was a question of physically, can he still do it? It was a very, very difficult decision for me because I rate Ospina highly. He is a keeper who is underrated, especially in England. But signing Cech was maybe one of the few opportunities to say, 'Okay, this is an obvious transfer.' It was more to say, 'If I don't do this, it would be a mistake.'"
Cech can make his former club rue the decision to sell him when he faces Chelsea on Sunday for the third time since leaving Stamford Bridge. Arsenal beat Jose Mourinho's team in the Community Shield before losing 2-0 away in the league, before the Portuguese manager was sacked and replaced by Guus Hiddink.
Wenger said the goalkeeper has contributed much more than just key saves since arriving at the club, as he helps organise the back four and instills a sense of confidence in his teammates.
"He has a calming presence, he communicates well, anticipates well, sees what is coming," Wenger said. "He is a kind of coach. The best position to be a coach is the goalkeeper because he doesn't move, and he sees everything. He is the camera behind the team."