Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech could have signed for Arsenal but the Gunners believed he was not good enough for the English Premiership.

The Czech International is quoted as saying by The Sun that before turning 20 and joining French side Rennes he was being monitored by the Gunners but interest was dropped due to work permit issues and Arsenal’s chief scout believing that he was not what the North Londoners needed at that time.

Asked about the title race which saw Chelsea cut the gap at the top to virtually only six points, the 28-year old explained that the Blues are to keep the pressure on Manchester United and hope to see the Red Devils drop points in order to have some hope to retain the English Premiership title.

Before I went to Rennes I was watched by Arsenal but when I couldn’t get a work permit the situation was missed.

And at the last minute I think the person who was the chief scout at Arsenal didn’t think I was good enough for the English league. So in the end it didn’t happen.

We’re more secure at the back and we still have the opportunity to catch Manchester United if they start dropping points. We are still dependent on all the others. But we have to win, win, win, keep the pressure on.