Arsenal's Petr Cech explains why Gunners are better equipped to challenge for Premier League

Petr Cech thinks Arsenal are better equipped to challenge for the Premier League title thanks to their recent big-money signings. The veteran goalkeeper has suggested the Gunners are well-placed to end their long run without winning the Premier League, having won seven of their opening 11 games this term.

Arsenal have invested heavily in the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka in recent seasons and Cech has hailed their new-found strength in depth.

"I think the first [quality we have] is the strength in depth," Cech told Arsenal's official website. "When we were unlucky with long-term injuries last season, we had to use the same players in so many games and you lack energy in certain parts of the season.

"We dropped points because we couldn't rotate. This season we have strength in depth. I think we are as strong as anybody else in the league. The league is very competitive but I think we are one of the teams who has all the qualities to compete for the title and we know that."

Cech, a four-time Premier-League winner, believes Arsenal have previously failed to challenge for the crown because they have been unable to keep hold of their best players. "The major difference is that four or five years ago the club was forced to sell their best players and tried to build the team around young players," the Arsenal goalkeeper shared.

"Now the team is built the way the manager wants. In the last three years we bought [Alexis] Sanchez, Mesut [Ozil] and Granit [Xhaka]. Together with all the experience of the players who had been here for a long time we have great balance in the team. We have young players coming through as well and we can take this as a great advantage as the squad is very well balanced. It's working so far."

Ozil and Sanchez are under contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2018, but progress regarding extensions has proceeded at a glacial pace over recent months. Despite this, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recently suggested he is confident the duo will commit their long-term futures to the club. "I feel they are happy at the club and I want them to commit to the club because they believe they are in the right place," Wenger explained.