George Graham: 'Petr Cech will help Arsenal win trophies'

Former Arsenal manager George Graham has suggested that Petr Cech can help the Gunners to win major honours if he completes a move from Chelsea this summer.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium, with some reports suggesting that the deal has been completed, which Cech has since denied.

Graham believes that Chelsea are rewarding Cech's 11 years of service at Stamford Bridge with the opportunity to play first-team football elsewhere, after he lost his place in the team to Thibaut Courtois.

"There is a bit of loyalty at last," Graham told talkSPORT. "Sometimes it doesn't happen in the game but he's been very loyal to Chelsea and he's been outstanding for them now for more than 10 years.

"He's still got a few more years left in him yet. Goalkeepers can last well into their 30s at the top level and he is a top level goalkeeper. Ideally [if you were Chelsea] you wouldn't let him go but I think they're rewarding him for his loyalty.

"Let's be honest, apart from the last few seasons, Arsenal have always had really good, top class, goalkeepers and that's very important if you want to win the big trophies."

Cech has made 494 appearances for Chelsea.