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Arsenal veteran Petr Cech is a 'more complete' keeper than Manchester United's David de Gea, according to ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop via The Daily Star.

What's the word?

Both Arsenal and Manchester United are battling to find consistency this season as they seek to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League but, while the Gunners have turned a corner, Jose Mourinho's side have stumbled.

The Red Devils lost to Derby County in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, having already tasted league defeats against Brighton and Tottenham as well as being held to a 1-1 draw by newly-promoted Wolves at the weekend.

Mourinho's side have been shaky defensively, conceding nine goals in six league matches, and they may well have found themselves with even more problems if it wasn't for goalkeeper David de Gea - who was named in FIFA's Team of the Year earlier this week and is rated at £63m by Transfermarkt.

However, comments from ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop via The Daily Star see the former Newcastle and West Ham stopper claim that Arsenal veteran Cech is a 'more complete keeper' than the Spain international.

What was said?

"It’s easy to forget exactly how good Petr Cech was at his best. I think Petr Cech’s game was more complete than David de Gea is, even now. David de Gea is showing better than Petr Cech did because he is playing in a worse team.

"Petr Cech had better defenders in front of him so he wasn’t called on as much as De Gea is to make those big saves. But in terms of total game, Petr Cech has it over David de Gea."

Is he right?

Now in the latter stages of his career, 36-year-old Cech has seen his performances decline and has come under fire this season for his struggles playing the ball out from the back. However, the biggest issue is the fact he has kept just one clean sheet this season.

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Suggesting Cech is still better than De Gea is certainly a comment that will rile up supporters and the claim, to put it bluntly, is far from accurate as the Spain international is on the rise while his Czech Republic counterpart battles for a first-team spot at Arsenal.

However, Cech still has the edge on De Gea when you look at the former Chelsea man in his prime and there is still a lot of work to do if the 27-year-old is to genuinely stand as a better stopper.