As news of Petr Cech's move to Arsenal began to break, people began to think about the age of the goalkeeper. Cech is 33-years-old, which some would say is a little bit old. So, how long could Cech have in him, and for how long could he be Arsenal number one?
Cech's move has been compared to that of Edwin van der Sar to Manchester United in 2005. He was 34 at the time of making the move and he played first team football for six more years, leading Manchester United to four Premier League titles and three Champions League finals. If Cech has the longevity of his Dutch opposite number then he has at least another six or seven seasons in him.
Top goalkeepers can play into their 40s, and Cech is a top goalkeeper
Goalkeepers usually retire later than other players, and they can easily play into their late 30s and even their 40s. No one knows how long Petr Cech wants to play for, but he should have a few seasons, maybe three or four, before he even begins to contemplate retirement plans.
Ex-Spurs and Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Fridel continued to play well into his 40s before retiring at the end of last season, at the age of 44. He didn't get first team football right until the end of his career, but he may have if he decided to move away from Spurs. Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon still claims he has years left in him at 37, and still hasn't retired from international football with Italy.
Iker Casillas is the same, he's 34 but still front look like hanging up his boots. However, with the potential arrival of David de Gea at Real Madrid, Casillas may be looking for a new club so he can continue playing first team football. He was linked to Arsenal before the Cech transfer, and has been linked to other clubs as well.
All this, coupled with the facts that both Peter Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn both retired in their 40s means that the idea of Cech playing for another seven or more seasons isn't out of the picture.
Cech may choose to leave Arsenal or retire early
Whether Cech chooses to retire early or not could be down to the game time he will be getting at Arsenal. During the first few seasons at Arsenal, Cech will be first team goalkeeper, and that is the way it should be throughout his career in red. Many doubt that there will be a point in his Arsenal career, like there was at Chelsea, where he feels he needs to leave to get regular football.
If Cech ever did decide to leave Arsenal, which all fans hope doesn't happen, it may be for family reasons. He moved to Arsenal to keep his family in London, so in the future could he move his family back to the Czech Republic? It seems unlikely but it's a possibility for the future.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Cech will probably retire at Arsenal. He has at least another three years in him, but he may even have more.
