Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger thrilled with impact of Chelsea reject Petr Cech

IN a cruel touch of irony, the goalkeeper Jose Mourinho let go could help his most bitter rival to win the Premier League.

Petr CechGETTY

Arsenal's back line has been strengthened since the arrival of Cech from Chelsea in the summer

Petr Cech, sold by to for £10million in the summer, will play a key role in deciding the outcome of Monday's Emirates clash between the Gunners and - the clubs leading the purusit of shock leaders Leicester.

And if Arsenal win it, Arsene Wenger could be forgiven for grabbing all the bragging rights from the manager who branded him a "specialist in failure".

Arsenal boss Wenger could hardly believe his luck when Mourinho decided Cech was surplus to Chelsea's requirements and cleared the way for the Frenchman to make the keeper his only close-season signing.

"We now have an opportunity to show that we can do it," Wenger said.

"We started the season by losing our first home game, but we are now in a position not to think too much about whether or not we can do it any more - you just go for it."

The only negatives for Wenger right now are the continued absences of key players Danny Wellbeck and Jack Wilshere.

Neither has played this season and both will miss the crucial festive period. Wenger added: "Unfortunately Danny got injured with bone bruising at the end of April. We are now at the end of December and he is still not available.

"His condition deteriorated and it is a big blow to us, especially as now we cannot rotate. We lost (Alexis) Sanchez for a while and to be without Wellbeck as well is bad for us.

Wenger is, however, hoping to have the injury-jinxed Wilshere (fractured leg) up and running by the end of January.

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