Arsenal completes signing of Chelsea's Petr Cech

Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea's Petr Cech and the goalkeeper could face his former club as soon as August 2 in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Talks over an £11million deal have been ongoing since the season ended and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has finally made the 33-year-old his first signing of the summer.

Jose Mourinho was reluctant to sell Cech to a direct Barclays Premier League rival but, although there has been no official confirmation, Sportsmail understand the transfer has gone through.

Paris Saint-Germain formally approached Chelsea about the veteran but the Czech Republic international preferred to stay in London where his family are based.

Cech wanted to leave Chelsea after playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois during their title-winning season, and owner Roman Abramovich has granted him his wish.

Cech's arrival means either Wojciech Szczesny or David Ospina, who is wanted by Fenerbahce, is likely to leave Arsenal this summer.

Ospina ended last season as Wenger's No 1, playing a crucial role in guiding Arsenal to Champions League qualification in third place, but the Colombia international is the most likely to be sold.

Cech had one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but his move also means Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon could follow him to Arsenal.

Credit: Kieran Gill/SportsMail