Arsenal title hopes hit as Petr Cech faces lengthy absence

Arsenal’s hopes of capturing their first Premier League title in 12 years took a huge hit on Friday when it was revealed that goalkeeper Petr Cech faces up to a month out injured.

The Czech Republic international suffered a muscular problem at the end of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Swansea City.

That reverse left the Gunners six points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City in third place, ahead of Saturday’s trip to second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Cech’s absence, confirmed by manager Arsene Wenger at a press conference on Friday, thrusts Colombian World Cup goalkeeper David Ospina into the spotlight.

“(He will be out for) three to four weeks,” the Frenchman said.

“It is a serious calf injury and he had a groin alert on the first goal and he could not kick the ball properly out because of his groin and maybe compensated a little too much and provoked another muscular injury.”

Former Chelsea star Cech injured his calf as he raced back towards his own penalty area after coming up for a corner against Swansea.

Wenger revealed that Cech had a groin issue before the game but trusted him to play,

“We had to make the decision before the game because he had a little groin problem but he declared himself 100 per cent fit,” he said.

“Then you have to trust the player. He’s 33 years old and he knows his body. If he says he’s fit then he is available.

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“It is like it is. I focus on the future. You want the players to be tough enough to sometimes be able to play through a little pain. You’re never completely perfect before a game in March.”

Ospina will deputize for Cech at Spurs and in the coming weeks — with an FA Cup replay at Hull and a Champions League tie in Barcelona to come as well as league games against Everton and Watford.

The Colombia international was criticized after a howler in the Champions League defeat to Olympiakos earlier this season but Wenger has backed his man to step up now he is needed.

“I have complete confidence in David and I’m not worried at all on that front,” he added.

“If you look at the win rate of Ospina it is very good as well. I’m not worried at all on that front.”