Why London Derby Win Over West Ham Was Crucial – Cech

Experienced Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has described his side’s 5-1 away win over West Ham at the Olympic Stadium in London as ‘crucial’ as Arsene Wenger’s side step up their bid to win a first league title since the unbeaten season (2003/04).

“It became a kind of must-win game for us when Chelsea won and obviously the gap opened to six points.”

“We knew what we had to do and we did it in a professional way, so we are happy.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the first half but it wouldn’t go in.
“In the second half at 1-0 their keeper made some fantastic saves and you think it could still be a dangerous scoreline.

“I know a lot of people would have been a bit anxious, but we showed the maturity not to panic and we kept going. We thoroughly deserved the goals for our performance.”
Arsenal and Chilean star Alexis Sanchez was in inspired form as he netted a hat-trick in twenty 2nd half minutes to help Arsenal to victory. German playmaker Mesut Ozil and English winger Alex Oxlade-chamberlain were also on target for the North London side while returning striker Andy Carroll scored what turned to be scant consolation for Slaven Bilic’s side.