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18th June 2015
09:00am BST

Does the Community Shield clash against Chelsea present a good opportunity to put down a marker ahead of the new campaign?
It could be but when you look at last season we beat Manchester City in the Community shield. However, after that it wasn’t there for us.
This game comes too early in the season to judge the two teams. Everybody will have only been in training for a few weeks and that is not enough.
Obviously, it something you want to win. There’s no doubt about it. It’s a trophy and you want to win trophies but I don’t think it will have any bearing on how both teams will go into the season.
Is this the most talented group you've played with during your nine years at Arsenal?
It’s definitely the strongest squad. Numbers-wise it’s the most talented squad I have played with.
Is it the best team I have played in? It’s difficult to say. The 2007/08 side was a great team as well and we were top of the Premier League until February. Three or four injuries was the reason we weren’t champions that year. But the current squad in terms of its depth is the most talented since I’ve been here.
Your Czech Republic teammate Petr Cech has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer - what are your thoughts on that?
Petr is a very experienced guy. He’s 33 and he’s been through all the situations you can imagine. The experience is there and that is vital for a goalkeeper. That is what he can offer.
I don’t know if Arsenal really want him or not but he’s a very good goalkeeper. He’s a proven goalkeeper. He’s show it for many years and he’s still got plenty of years ahead of him.
Do you plan to finish your career at Arsenal?
My focus is here. I have another year left on my contract. It was a difficult time for me. It’s never easy when you are not playing at all and you end the season in the stands.
Is there a frustration? Of course there is a frustration because I think I can still help the team to be better. On the other side I have been here nine years and I have always said I love the club.
I don’t think I have to prove to anyone how I feel about Arsenal and how loyal I am to this club. Of course it’s not going well for me at the moment. It’s disappointing but I will not give up easy. I will fight.
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