Per Mertesacker admits Arsenal are still getting used to having Petr Cech

Per and Petr celebrate Arsenal's 1-2 win over Crystal Palace

Arsenal vice-captain Per Mertesacker has admitted that the team still need some time to perfectly sync up with new signing, Petr Cech.

Cech moved across London from Chelsea to Arsenal this summer and has since seen his new side beat his former with the lifting of the Community Shield; but his performances in the Premier League have been under the spotlight for failing to keep a clean sheet in two games where he normally would.

The £10m signing was at fault for both of West Ham's goals and this week, failed to judge a Joel Ward strike into the bottom of the net albeit the quality of the defender's shot.

Speaking on his new teammate, Mertesacker admitted that it'll take a little longer for Arsenal to completely utilise and understand Petr Cech.

“Sometimes it takes longer than you think to get to know a new goalkeeper,” said Mertesacker

“The interaction between the goalkeeper and the back four has to be at the top level to compete in the Premier League. Petr came in and I had an understanding from the start: we both communicate well and understand each other, but we keep working at it. He is someone who has to talk [to his defenders] and is really responsible. We match our ambitions on the pitch and so it is great to communicate with him.

"Mistakes will happen"

Petr Cech was heralded as the signing of the summer by many. It's not often someone as experienced – someone who's won everything in club level – makes a move to a direct rival and this experience, Mertesacker believes, is what's important for the team henceforth.

“He is very experienced. You can feel that – he has a lot of things to say and, in the dressing room, gives us a great lift. Even when we lose a game, he has some good ideas on and off the pitch, which shows how important he can be for us. He is experienced enough to know what went wrong [against West Ham], so you don’t have to tell him.

"Mistakes will happen, but my feeling is he comes back even stronger. That game last week [against West Ham] was a reminder for us to be aware there is big competition everywhere in the Premier League. There was not that intensity which we had at home but the way we responded at Palace was very good. It was important to bounce back.”

Arsenal take on Liverpool on Monday night and Petr Cech will be hoping that this time around, he'll keep a clean sheet. Especially since its at home.