Petr Cech: A Didier Drogba goal against Arsenal would mean a 'year' of abuse

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Tom Doyle27 July 2016

Petr Cech says he is eager to prevent Didier Drogba from scoring for MLS All-Stars against Arsenal in order to avoid months of abuse from his former Chelsea team-mate.

Arsenal will face a star-studded MLS All-Stars side in the early hours of Friday morning, with Montreal Impact striker Drogba - a constant thorn in the Gunners' side during his Chelsea career - set to feature.

Cech and Drogba won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League together in a Stamford Bridge successful era, and the Gunners goalkeeper is eager to test himself against the Ivorian striker.

"I am looking forward to playing against Didier, because it's been a very long time," he told reporters.

"He's been my team-mate for 10 years and then obviously we faced each other in the Champions League when he was with Galatasaray, but I'm looking forward to that because playing against top players is always challenging

"As I said in this moment of the pre-season it's great to have this challenge ahead of you because it's not only about your fitness, getting back to the game, but it challenges you in the mental side because you need to focus and make sure you're on top of the game even though it's pre-season.

"I'm looking forward to the game and obviously I hope that he doesn't score because for a whole year he would text me with a picture of the goal probably!"

Cech will also have to contend with keeping out World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, along with Brazilian forward Kaka.

Arsenal's summer signing Granit Xhaka is expected to make his debut for the club in the match, with Arsene Wenger saying: “He will play a part in the game.

"He is a bit short fitness-wise, because he just came back last week.”

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