Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: 'Petr Cech ready for Chelsea return'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that goalkeeper Petr Cech will put sentiment to one side as he prepares to visit former club Chelsea on Saturday.

The Czech, 33, called Stamford Bridge home for 11 years, but joined the Gunners for £10m in the summer after falling behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order.

Cech impressed against the Blues in Arsenal's Community Shield win in August, and Wenger is certain that the veteran will handle tomorrow's reunion with the same professionalism.

"I just want him to focus on this game and not be influenced by that. You can't go there and wonder if you're standing in the right goal or not," he is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"It is always difficult to go back to your club and play but fortunately he has handled that this season. That is why I decided to play him in the Community Shield.

"It is the first step that is important and he has dealt very well with it."

Cech won four Premier League titles in West London, three of which came under current manager Jose Mourinho.