Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has admitted that the whole team have been lifted by the arrival of goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea.

The 33-year-old signed for the Gunners last month for a reported £11m fee.

The Czech's time on the pitch was limited last season due to the return of Thibaut Courtois, and to prevent a similar experience this season, the shot-stopper opted to move on.

"Those type of signings give a lift to the whole team," Sky Sports News quotes Arteta as saying. "He's not just a good goalkeeper. He has experience and ambition. The decision he made to come here after being a legend at Chelsea was not easy.

"I don't think many of them would do it at his age. He is still hungry and he wants to prove himself at the top again and it's a really good decision for us."

Last week, Arteta extended his stay with Arsenal by signing a one-year deal.

Written by
Danielle Joynson