Petr Cech Discusses 2006 Head Injury, Career Doubts Ahead of Arsenal vs. Chelsea

Petr Cech has recalled how people thought his career had been ended by the fractured skull he suffered against Reading in 2006.

Cech remembered the predictions of doom that followed his clash with Stephen Hunt when speaking to Arsenal Player (h/t John Downes of MailOnline): "There were a lot of people saying it was probably the end and that I would not play again."

Cech was reminiscing ahead of new club Arsenal's Premier League clash with old side Chelsea. The skilled goalkeeper was left hurt after Hunt's knee collided with his head during a costly goalless draw for the then-reigning champions. Following the collision, Cech has worn protective headgear while playing ever since.

Cech missed three months of the campaign, but the Czech Republic international remembers how many told him to take more time away: "You get so many people telling you that you should take time, you should take the whole year off and build up slowly to get back; I wanted to get back playing as this is what I enjoy the most and it was a challenge to prove to everyone that I don't need a whole year."

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

For Cech, the hardest part was having to stay away and wait for his chance to return to the pitch.

"It was a massive challenge for me because there were days when you just feel like it will never happen, it's not going well, you don't feel well and you think, 'OK, what am I going to do'," the 33-year-old said.

Ultimately, though, Cech was happy with the way his rehabilitation went. Despite the trauma caused by such a serious injury, the accomplished stopper quickly rediscovered his love for the game:

"

[I] had days where all the positive things came back and I was really happy with the way I did it. I enjoyed the rest of the season when I came back because it was kind of a bonus. Nobody expected me to play so I really enjoyed that because I played with less pressure as I was appreciating the fact that I was back.

"

Sticking with the idea of viewing every moment of his career after 2006 as a bonus, Cech knows how to value his time between the posts, as he said: "Since then, I've known that any day it can stop [playing football]."

Cech is certainly valuing his time with the Gunners. He's been an essential part of Arsenal's march to the top of the Premier League standings.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Just as he was during his Chelsea days, Cech has earned points as well as saved them. A prime example came in the Gunners' recent 0-0 draw away to Stoke City.

Cech made a series of smart saves to deny the Potters. He was also commanding dealing with high balls into the box—a rarity for an Arsenal 'keeper at the Britannia Stadium in recent years.

Manager Arsene Wenger dubbed Cech's performance "outstanding," according to BBC Sport. The man who won a litany of trophies with Chelsea also impressed his Arsenal team-mates by emphasising the importance of the hard-earned point, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard.

It's testament to Cech's talent and resilience that he's built such a decorated career following his harrowing injury. Even now, the veteran remains one of the most dominant goalkeepers in the game.