Keeper to retire

feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of this season.

“Having played 15 years in the Premier League and won every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve.

“I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season, then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch.”

Arsenal, fifth in the Premier League, are still in the FA Cup and Europa League.

By announcing his decision now Cech has given Chelsea fans the chance to say goodbye to one of their all-time greats when Arsenal host the Blues on Saturday.

An Arsenal statement hinted at a possible future role for the former Czech Republic international, saying he will ‘‘continue to make a big contribution’’ in the future.

Chelsea, who described Cech as “a champion on and off the pitch”, said he will go down as not just their best-ever keeper but as ‘‘one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time”. ARSENAL will help pay Mesut Ozil’s wages in an attempt to offload him.

The 29-year-old is the club’s highest earner on £350,000 a week but has fallen out of favour under Unai Emery and did not even make the bench at West Ham last Saturday.

The Gunners would be willing to let Ozil go to ease the strain on the wage bill and help future squad rebuilding, although there have not yet been any firm offers.