Gunners ace eyes last hurrah

PETR CECH claims winning the Europa League with Arsenal would be the ideal way to sign off his glittering career.

The Czech keeper has won 14 trophies with Chelsea and the Gunners but wants to end on a high by lifting one more piece of silverware.

The 36-year-old won this competition with the Blues six years ago and should start for Arsenal against BATE Borisov tonight.

Cech, who will retire at the end of the season, said: “Of course that would be an ideal scenario for me to finish my career.

“We prepare every day for every competition and this is what we are aiming for. We try to win every game and progress step by step and, as a club, it is important for us to try and go as far as possible.

“Winning the Europa League is a great memory for everyone involved and secondly it can book you a place in the Champions League.”

Arsenal beat BATE home and away in the competition last season before losing in the semi-finals to Atletico Madrid.

Unbeaten in the group stage, they are strong favourites to beat Borisov, who won their 13th Belarusian league title in a row in November but have not played a competitive game in two months.

Cech insists Arsenal will not take them lightly but refuses to think about the possibility this tie could be his swansong in the competition if Unai Emery’s side suffer a shock exit.

He added: “You are right that it might be the last time I am in the competition but I prepare for the game like I did through my whole career. I don’t think if it is my last game in the competition or not.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (illness) and Granit Xhaka (groin) both return to the squad from PAUL BROWN in Minsk

but Mesut Ozil did not travel despite his return to training after illness.

Ozil’s Arsenal future remains in doubt, with the former Germany playmaker a more and more peripheral figure this season.

But Emery insisted he had only been left out for fitness reasons, saying: “We are here with the players that are okay to play.

“The players we didn’t bring in the squad were because Aaron Ramsey did not train with us and Sokratis only started training yesterday and today, I don’t think it’s enough. Mesut is the same.

“Aubameyang, after he was sick, trained on Monday, yesterday and today. I think he’s okay for the match.”