Cech hopes to haunt Chelsea in Europa League final farewell

Petr Cech will bring down the curtain on a glittering playing career in strange circumstances as the Arsenal goalkeeper faces his former and potentially future employers Chelsea in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Cech, 37, enjoyed the best years of his career at Stamford Bridge, winning 13 trophies including four Premier League titles and the Champions League in 11 seasons with Chelsea before moving across London to Arsenal in 2015.

And his close relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich looks set to see him return to the Blues in the coming weeks as the club's new sporting director.

Cech lost his status as Arsenal's number one during Unai Emery's first season in charge, with Bernd Leno taking over in the Premier League since September, but the Czech veteran has started all of Arsenal's knockout games to reach the Europa League final.

The success of Arsenal's season depends not only on lifting a first European trophy for 25 years in Baku, but also on ensuring Champions League qualification that will come with victory.

Emery therefore has the difficult decision on whether to give Cech a fitting farewell, or make the cold but calculated choice of playing his...