Cech: We’ve got the Arsenal fans ‘back on board’

Joe Williams

Petr Cech believes Arsenal are winning round the club’s disgruntled fans after victory over Brighton stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches.

The Gunners overcame their newly-promoted opponents 2-0 on Sunday thanks to an early strike from Nacho Monreal and a superb team-goal finished off by Alex Iwobi.

Arsenal have now won six out of their last seven games, their only slip in that time coming in a goalless draw at home to Chelsea.

Many concluded Arsene Wenger’s men were due another disappointing season following a 4-0 drubbing at Liverpool in August but Cech claims perceptions have changed.

“We said after the Liverpool game the only way to bring everybody back on board was our attitude and work ethic and obviously results,” Cech said.

“We have been doing that, especially at home we feel like we have won the fans back on our side and hopefully we can keep them happy as long as we can.

“Home is always home. Every fan has the right to show if they’re not happy but as players I think we’ve shown the way and they are supporting us everywhere we go. I think this is great to see.”

Arsenal’s run means they now sit fifth in the Premier League table, level on points with Chelsea and six behind the two early pace-setters, Manchester City and Manchester United.

“We play them both and they are games where we will have the opportunity to close the gap,” Cech said.

“Yesterday we were watching all the games and results. We knew every team ahead of us won their games so we needed to continue our run and keep winning to keep the gap the way it is.

“Unfortunately we have to be chasing so we need to make sure we win our games and if the teams ahead drop points we can close the gap or get ahead of them.”

Brighton lacked cutting edge at Emirates Stadium, with Tomer Hemed suspended and Isaiah Brown deployed in the unfamiliar role of lone striker.

They were far from overawed, however, and even had chances to equalise, with Solly March going closest when a well-worked free-kick ended with the midfielder rattling the post.

“I think we were in the game,” Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan said.

“They had the majority of possession and created the better chances but I felt after half-time we were in it and just lacked the belief we could get the job done.

“We had the opportunity to do something special today but unfortunately we let ourselves down and let the supporters of the club down.

“In football you want to create as many life-long moments and what better place to do it than at the Emirates against a side like Arsenal? We just lacked that little one per cent today.”