Petr Cech's Community Shield Display Shows He's Just What Arsenal Need

At full-time, Petr Cech raised his hands aloft in celebration. In part, he was recognising Arsenal’s victory in the Community Shield and the addition of yet another medal to his already glittering private collection. However, perhaps even more so than that, he was filled with a joyous sense of vindication.

His new team had beaten the club where he had fallen from icon to surplus to requirements. Arsenal have got one over Chelsea, and Cech has gone one over Jose Mourinho—the man who called time on his spell as No. 1 at Stamford Bridge. Now, with a motivated Cech in their ranks, the Gunners will hope to beat the Blues to bigger prizes.

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Arsene Wenger was emphatic in his praise of Cech after the game. He told Arsenal.com:

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He did well. Maybe he had an influence on the Chelsea players as well because they felt that to score against him they had to score the perfect goal. When you have that sometimes you want to try too hard. It happened especially with Eden Hazard when he had that chance in the box.

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It seems that even the sight of Cech on the team sheet can have a detrimental effect on the opposition. When a striker comes up against a goalkeeper of Cech’s standing, it’s inevitable that they’ll feel slightly intimidated. The way Hazard blazed his shot over was indicative of a player trying too hard to beat the masterful keeper.

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His presence also has a psychological impact on his team-mates. Arsenal’s defenders look more assured than ever with Cech behind them. They do not fear the erratic decisions of Wojciech Szczesny or the unknown quantity of David Ospina. With Cech, the likes of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny know they are working in tandem with someone who is robust and reliable.

Mertesacker and Cech seem to have struck up an immediate understanding. It was the German who the keeper embraced first at full-time at Wembley. In many respects, they’re similar characters: both placid off the pitch but passionate leaders on it. With Cech and Mertesacker in the side, Arsenal have two vocal organisers at the back. It’s a far cry from the days when no individual seemed prepared to take responsibility, and chaos ruled in the Arsenal defence.

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Aside from one impressive save to claw away an Oscar free-kick, Cech was not called upon to produce anything too spectacular against his former club. His impact was one characterised by the calming effect he seems to have had on the Arsenal team. With Cech in the side, everyone in a red shirt looks more assured. It’s almost as if a weight has been lifted: with such a gifted stopper behind them, the fear of mistakes has evaporated.

Since arriving at Arsenal, Cech has already claimed three preseason prizes: the Asia Trophy, the Emirates Cup and now the Community Shield. It seems winning is a habit he has brought with him from Stamford Bridge. With a classy keeper finally on board, Arsenal will hope they have the final piece in the jigsaw. Winning the Community Shield is one thing, but Cech will be acutely conscious that beating Chelsea to the Premier League title would represent the ultimate redemption.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.