Petr Cech yesterday said he was prepared to fight for his place as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper and denied any contact with Chelsea over a return to Stamford Bridge. The veteran 'keeper's spot has come into question after a patchy season last year, and following manager Unai Emery's signing of Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen.

But Cech, who lost his position at Chelsea to Thibaut Cortois, said it was not the first time he had faced competition for the number one jersey. "It happened many times during my career so that's the way it goes," said the Czech, ahead of today's pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid.