Arsene Wenger likens Cech signing to Edwin van der Sar's Manchester United move

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his new goalkeeper, Petr Cech, has what it takes to command the goalposts for years to come, much as Edwin van der Sar did at Manchester United.

Cech joins Arsenal out of Chelsea after losing his starting spot to young Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The 33-year-old Cech has plenty of Premier League experience after plying his trade for 11 years at Stamford Bridge - and his age is no deterrent for Wenger, who gladly snapped up Cech in the summer window.

"His move is a bit like Edwin van der Sar's, who went from Fulham to Manchester United but still had five or six years there," Wenger told Arsenal's website, referring to the Dutch goalkeeper's switch to Old Trafford at 34 years of age. "I don't see why (Cech) shouldn't have a few years. He's very serious, he trains well, has no big problems."

"He has a good combination between quality, agility, size," Wenger added. "He looked like he was built for English football. I think he is a very bright goalkeeper as well. He has an intimidating presence, that is for sure. He makes the goals look small. That's the kind of charisma he has."

Wenger's admiration for the former Chelsea 'keeper isn't a new revelation - the French manager didn't make a secret of his interest in the Czech Republic international shot-stopper. Wenger says he even tried to sign Cech during the start of his playing career.

"Before he went to Chelsea we were interested as the guy who brought him to Chelsea is a good friend of mine," Wenger said. "One of the guys who was the agent and he told me there was an exceptional keeper at Rennes.

"He was very young when he went to Rennes," he continued. "One of my assistants, Boro Primorac, his son was a player in Rennes and he said they had a very good goalkeeper. So we knew (but) I think Chelsea were a bit quicker than us."