Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed he is willing to start Petr Cech in the Europa League final, despite speculation linking him with a move back to Chelsea.
The Telegraph reported back in April that Chelsea were set to offer Cech a director role back at Stamford Bridge, four years after he departed and signed for Arsenal.
Speculation on that front has intensified since, which has created a real conflict of interest with Arsenal set to face Chelsea in the Europa League final.
Cech has been ever present for the Gunners throughout their Europa League campaign, so it would be seriously harsh to drop him at this stage of the competition.
Irrespective of whether the Arsenal supporters would feel uncomfortable with Cech starting, Emery has confirmed that he sees no issue with it.
The Spaniard is quoted by BT Sport saying:
“I think he deserves (us) to trust in him. Not because I am saying to you here – because his career says to us, he is a gentleman. And tomorrow he can start, he cannot start. I am going to decide.”
“But both (ways), for him, he is due the respect. And, really, I think, how can we not believe in him?”
Emery is right to trust Cech. He is an exemplary professional, and will no doubt want to end his playing career on a high with the Europa League trophy.
