Petr Cech will become first Premier League goalkeeper to reach 200 clean sheets if he can keep former club Chelsea at bay

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Arsenal's Petr Cech could become the first Premier League goalkeeper to reach 200 clean sheets when he goes up against former club Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The Czech shot-stopper currently sits on 199 shutouts from 423 appearances and is well out in front of his nearest rival, with former Premier League stalwart David James in second on 169.

Cech earned 162 of his Premier League clean sheets during an 11-year spell with Chelsea, winning three of his four golden glove titles at Stamford Bridge, and is currently on 37 for Arsenal.

Petr Cech could become the first Premier League goalkeeper to reach 200 clean sheets

He has faced 38 different sides in the top flight and has kept a clean sheet against every side bar one — Cardiff City finding a way past the former Czech Republic international on the one occasion they faced him in October 2013.

The 35-year-old surpassed former England No 1 James — who held the previous record before ending his Premier League career with Portsmouth in 2010 — in December 2015.

Cech was within minutes of reaching the 200 mark last time out against West Brom but a harsh late penalty converted by Jay Rodriguez saw his wait go on.

A 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace and a 3-3 draw with Liverpool were also missed opportunities for Cech after he achieved back-to-back clean sheets against Newcastle and West Ham earlier in December.

Over the course of his Premier League career, Cech has overtaken a number of legends to reach the top of the pile.

As well as surpassing James, Cech also left Australia's Mark Schwarzer and Arsenal legend David Seaman, who are on 151 and 140 respectively, trailing behind.

Former Everton and Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn is next on the list with 137 with current Napoli stopper Pepe Reina in sixth after he achieved 134 shutouts in his nine-year spell with Liverpool. 

Cech achieved 162 clean sheets for Chelsea and is on 37 for Arsenal in the Premier League

Cech surpassed former England No 1 David James in the clean sheet standings two years ago

Legendary trio Edwin van der Sar, Tim Howard and Brad Friedel have all manged to keep 132 each, while Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel lies just behind them on 128.

As well as keeping Antonio Conte's side out at the Emirates on Wednesday night, Cech will be focused on earning three points that will keep Arsenal in the race for a top four finish.

The Gunners are currently six points off of fourth placed Liverpool and defeat to one of their Champions League rivals would seriously threaten their chances.