Arsenal's Petr Cech desperate to ditch his helmet - "but doctors won't let me"

Updated 16/11/2015 at 13:27 GMT

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has given a lengthy interview in his native Czech Republic, and revealed that he's sick of wearing the helmet that he's famous for.

Petr Cech applauds the crowd - Arsenal v Bayern Munich

Image credit: Reuters

Cech has worn the protective headgear for almost a decade, starting after he fractured his skull in a Chelsea v Reading match in 2006.

Speaking to Tyden - in an interview recounted in English by the Evening Standard - the former Blues keeper says he's sick of wearing it, but has no choice.

"I would be more confident if I had it off," he admitted. "Whether you like it or not, the helmet affects your surroundings.

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"You have your ears covered and it makes hearing worse. But the doctor has forbidden me to take it off. I wouldn't get insurance!"

Cech added that when he first wore it Chelsea were playing against Liverpool, and the distortion of the huge crowd noise was little short of terrifying.

"Spatially, I was suddenly completely lost," he said.

"As people began to shout, everything resonated through the helmet. I was totally confused. But I'm used to it now."

On top of that, the 33-year-old says he has had cause to be thankful for it.

"Even with the helmet, I've been concussed twice," he added. "I don't like to think about what might have happened if I'd not been wearing it."

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