Cech – Why a point is good

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has argued that his side’s 0-0 draw with Stoke City at the Britannia can be seen as ‘valuable’.

The Gunners failed to put any goals past Mark Hughes’ side, with their record of just one win at Stoke’s stadium in the Premier League era remaining.

Both ‘keepers were crucial in keeping the scores level, with Cech making a string of top saves towards the end and Jack Butland keeping Olivier Giroud out with an effort from close range in the first half.

Speaking after the game, the club’s official website reported that Cech admitted that the result could have gone either way.

I thought Stoke did very well. In the first half we had a chance to go one-nil up but Jack [Butland] made a good save.

In the second half the momentum lifted a little bit and they had some chances to score. Butland made another good save from the [Giroud’s] header.

We could have won, we could have lost. We can take the point.

When we were coming here we could hear everyone saying we were going to lose again [at Stoke]. We showed everyone we can compete and in the circumstances we take the point and move on. We were unlucky to concede a late goal in midweek, today we take the point. We are in the position we wanted to be and now we turn to a home game. We’re ready to compete again.

We were unlucky to concede a late goal in midweek, today we take the point. We are in the position we wanted to be and now we turn to a home game. We’re ready to compete again.

I was pleased with my contribution. Sometimes it can be a tricky game. You try to keep your composure in the tricky conditions, every back pass you get you try to make sure you do it perfectly so that the players in front of you feel you’re confident and they can relax. It always helps, so I try to do that. I’m happy in the second half I managed to keep everything out.

It always helps, so I try to do that. I’m happy in the second half I managed to keep everything out.

The north London side moved back to the top of the table on goal difference, with both Leicester City and Manchester City also picking up points this weekend.

Arsenal face Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in their next league game, with Guus Hiddink’s side failing to gain any consistency during the season thus far.