Cech: I want to stop Messi again

Lionel Messi is yet to find a way past Petr Cech in eight games and the Arsenal man has admitted he is keen to extend his fine record against the Barcelona star.

The pair met on numerous times during the goalkeeper's time with Chelsea, with the Czech Republic man coming out on top in their individual battle on each occasion.

They will face one another again when Arsenal and Barcelona clash in the last-16 of the Champions League in February and Cech is well aware of his impressive statistics against the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"It's great, not many people can say they've played eight games or how many minutes against Messi and he hasn't found a way to get past me.

"But if he scores and we progress to the next round then it's not really important. What's important is for us to make sure that we give ourselves a chance to progress to the next round."

Cech, 33, recently recorded his 170th Premier League clean sheet during his side's victory over Bournemouth - the highest tally of any keeper in the division's history.