Published: 7 January, 2016
by STEVE BARNETT

PETR Cech will be hoping to reignite a “special love” affair on Saturday when Arsenal kick off their defence of the FA Cup against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium. 

The experienced shot-stopper will be keeping his fingers crossed that boss Arsene Wenger resists the temptation to play David Ospina between the sticks so that he can play his part in guiding the Gunners back to Wembley – where they would be looking to win the oldest cup competition in the world for a third successive time. 

Cech won the FA Cup four times during his time at Chelsea, and has formed a very special bond with the competition over the years. 

“I always say it is a very special competition,” he told Arsenal Player. 

“I always love to play in the FA Cup.  

“You start with the fact that you can play teams in lower divisions. 

“The atmosphere and everything surrounding the game underlines the fact that this could be history for the club you play against. 

“Even if you play a club in the Premier League, the element of the away fans changes for FA Cup games. 

“The away team has a much bigger support than all the other games and the atmosphere is lifted. 

“If you take the history of the cup – it is the oldest competition in the world and that is special in itself. No matter the team you play it is always special to be involved.” 

Meanwhile Francis Coquelin insists Arsenal “are desperate” to win the FA Cup for a third consecutive season. 

Coquelin will miss the game as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, but the midfielder is hoping his side can progress to the later stages so he can get involved in the competition. 

“I’m still hungry, even hungrier, and I want more, just like everyone else at the club,” he said. 

“The players are really stepping up and really want this silverware. 

“What is nice is that the first round of the competition is at home and that’s great for the fans. It’s always going to be tough against Sunderland. They gave us a tough game in the league. 

“They’re going to want to beat the champions as well, so they will be really, really motivated and beating us could give them a boost in their season as well. 

“Everyone will be prepared for it.”