Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech should be a 'big target' for Arsenal says Carlo Cudicini

Arsenal must cure their goalkeeping problems with the addition of ostracised Chelsea stopper Petr Cech, according to former Blues custodian Carlo Cudicini.

Cech has played second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois for much of the season after 10 years as the number one at Stamford Bridge, making just five Premier League starts this term.

The Czech Republic international has been heavily linked with a move away from West London. However, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has remained committed to keeping both Courtois and Cech at the club.

Among the sides mentioned with an interest in Cech are Arsenal, who have been linked with a £7m move for the 32-year-old, with the Gunners having rotated their goalkeepers this season with Wojciech Szczesny having been replaced by David Ospina.

But in order to add stability in the team which they have not experienced since the days of David Seaman and Jens Lehmann, the club must sign Cech, a former teammate of ex-Chelsea man Cudicini.

"Arsenal have had few problems in the past with goalkeepers after [David] Seaman and [Jens] Lehmann," he told Talksport.

"[Wojciech] Szczesny I think is still struggling to impose himself as number one, so if a goalkeeper like Petr Cech is available in the summer; obviously he is a big target for Arsenal."

"He is another possible target for Arsenal. Last season two teams were after him and I think rightly so because he did a good job in the Premier League in the last three or four seasons.

"Arsenal for sure have two or three important targets to go for, for next season. It is never easy for a goalkeeper to change. Ospina needs another good season and then we'll have an idea about his performances as well."

The removal of Cech as Chelsea's number one goalkeeper has been swift, with Courtois returning from a three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid to claim the jersey in his debut Premier League campaign.

And current Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon has been left saddened by the change, even if he respects the decision made by Mourinho.

"It's not easy because you've got a goalkeeper like Petr who is at the top of his form," he said. "I have a relationship with Petr, who is a special person. We've been working together [at Chelsea] for eight years. Our relationship goes beyond just the sporting side.

"There is always that moment when a young goalkeeper arrives. The decision to make Thibaut No. 1 is the manager's. Then, if it's a question of rotation, we might discuss it. But above all, it's the manager's call. We have two of the best three keepers in the world. It's an advantage.

"Whether you start with one or the other, it doesn't change anything. Either way, the opponent has a phenomenal goalkeeper against them. We speak a lot. We're talking about clever lads. Petr helps Thibaut. He is not going to drop banana skins in front of him. At half time we all talk together. After matches too.

"Petr is doing well, even though his current situation is not that easy. We're talking about someone remarkable, with values, who is not going to hide away because he's lost his No1 spot. He keeps working as if he is going to play every weekend."