Petr Cech pulled off a crucial save midway through the first-half at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

Thibaut Courtois hailed Petr Cech for a crucial first-half save after Arsenal held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro had arguably the biggest chance for Chelsea in the 22nd minute, following a pinpoint through ball from Cesc Fabregas, but the Spaniard was denied by Cech’s quick reflexes and the sides had to settle for a point apiece.

Courtois and Cech once vied for the No.1 spot at Stamford Bridge and the Belgian shot-stopper singled out his former team-mate for his part in ensuring the Gunners came away from the London derby with a draw.

‘Clean sheets are always nice but not when you draw 0-0, I would have preferred to concede a goal and win 2-1,’ Courtois told Chelsea’s official website.

Petr Cech was succeeded at Chelsea by Thibaut Courtois (Picture: Getty)

‘It was a close game, both teams knew how the other played as we’ve played against each other a lot in the last few months. It was hard to find space and they put pressure on our defence very well.

I tried to play out from the back sometimes in order to find space because playing only with long balls wasn’t going to help.

‘I wouldn’t say we played a bad game. Arsenal played well tactically and pressed us. We had a couple of chances, especially the one when Pedro was one against one with Petr [Cech], but it was a good save from him.

‘That might have changed the game because at 1-0 Arsenal would have had to come out a bit more and there would have been more space for us.

‘In the end, the game continued in a close way.’

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