Iwobi: Cech could play four more years

Petr Cech will retire at the end of the season
Petr Cech's decision to retire surprised Arsenal team-mate Alex Iwobi, who says the goalkeeper could have played another four years.

Cech, 36, announced this week he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, saying it felt like "the right time" following 20 years as a professional.

He won the Premier League four times and the Champions League during his time at Chelsea, and despite losing his No 1 spot to Bernd Leno at Arsenal this season, Iwobi believes Cech could have carried on.

"I was [surprised] because he always looks good in training and every time he plays in a match," Iwobi told Sky Sports News, speaking at the NBA London Game 2019.

"When he announced he was retiring I was like 'wow, you could have another three or four years the way that you're playing'.

"But we have to respect his decision and we'll have to do our best to make sure he ends his career on a high."

Iwobi was joined by Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Shkodran Mustafi at the NBA match between the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards.

Arsenal play fourth-placed Chelsea on Saturday, looking to close the six-point gap between the sides.