Adrian Durham has blasted Unai Emery’s decision to start Chelsea legend Petr Cech in Wednesday night’s Europa League final – insisting it should ‘not happen’.
Cech will make his final appearance for the Gunners against his former side in the first of two all-England European finals this week.
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Petr Cech’s final professional game sees him start in the Europa League final against former side – and Adrian Durham has slammed that decision
Ahead of the clash in Baku, Cech questioned the mentality at the Emirates – insisting there’s ‘no pressure to do anything’.
He said: “At Chelsea, even when we drew at home against a big team, it felt like a funeral in the dressing-room. It was so bad. It felt impossible that we didn’t win.
“But then I came to Arsenal and as much as Arsene Wenger hated losing, he always stayed a gentleman whatever the result. If we won or lost, he just kind of carried on.
“And that was something I’d never experienced before.
“So as strange as it might sound, I think at Arsenal there is not enough pressure.”
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Durham believes Unai Emery should have left Cech on the bench, as his loyalty lies with Chelsea
And those comments, along with the decision to hand a starting berth to the veteran keeper, have seemingly riled Durham who went on an extraordinary rant on Drivetime.
He said: “What he’s basically said [about the club’s mentality] is that it’s easy being at Arsenal as there’s no pressure to do anything.
“I’m looking at Petr Cech here and thinking hang on weren’t you the type of player they were bringing into the club to up the levels across the board?
“Having someone with that experience of winning everything domestically at Chelsea should have galvanised him to make a difference at Arsenal.
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Cech has won every major European club honour and remains a club icon at Stamford Bridge
“It wasn’t to sit in the shadows and take your money so your kids can go to school in London – we all know that’s why he went to Arsenal! It’s incredibly convenient for him at the end of the day.”
He continued: “He ain’t ripped up trees, he’s not rocked the boat, he’s not bust heads together in the dressing room in a bid to make Arsenal better.
“So what on earth is Unai Emery thinking about playing Cech tonight?! It should not happen.”
Durham went on to sensationally label Cech a ‘failure’ for his contribution at Arsenal and insists his loyal lies completely with the Blues – thus he should have no involvement in the huge showdown.
“He’s been a failure there,” he added. “He’s about to go back to Chelsea in the summer [heavily linked with director of football role] – that’s where his heart has always been.
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“He may have moved, he may have signed a contract, he may have worn that shirt and rubbed the badge, but he is still Chelsea through and through. Everyone can see that!
“I’m not saying he’s going to let anything in the goal, but it’s madness to play him. He’s ok with his clean sheets, he can say yeah well I did alright.
“But did he really do enough? Was he a real leader in the dressing room? They can make the difference at the end of the day.
“Arsenal needed leaders – everyone could see that. And he hasn’t been one of those for them.”
Durham’s comments come after talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino claimed last week that Emery would be committing a ‘sackable offence’ if he chose to play Cech in the Europa League final.
The EFL play-offs take centre-stage over the next two weeks as teams across the country strive for promotion. After a thrilling final weekend, the Championship, League One and League Two seasons are now finished and four sides in each league are set to compete in the play-offs.
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