Arsenal were impressive in their 6-0 win over Ludogorets last night, and whilst the focus may be on Mesut Ozil after his first career hat trick, another impressive performance from David Ospina has caused many fans to wonder whether he deserves to start ahead of Petr Cech.
When David Ospina was named in the starting line up against Paris Saint-Germain on the opening matchday of the Champions League, many fans were outraged, suggesting that Cech should be the man between the sticks. But Wenger put his faith in the Arsenal no.2, suggesting the club had two world class keepers. From what we’ve seen so far, he isn’t wrong. Ospina excelled in the game in Paris, almost single-handedly earning Arsenal a crucial point that keeps them in contention to top the group. In the two games after that, at home to FC Basel and Ludogorets, Ospina has kept two clean sheets. Yes he hasn’t been tested two much in those games, but last night his super-fast reactions helped Arsenal weather a storm at a crucial point in the game.
If you didn’t watch the game last night, you might be a tad surprised to see praise for Ospina, 6-0… surely he had nothing to do and it was an easy night for the Arsenal back 5? Wrong. Ludogorets actually had more posssession (!) and at 1-0 to Arsenal, the away side threatened on numerous occasions and if it wasn’t for alert goalkeeping from David ‘the cat’ Ospina, the Gunners may have lost their lead, or even fallen behind. We know only too well how a little mistake and being pegged back can then escalate into disaster as nerves spread around The Emirates and create a somewhat poisonous atmosphere. It can be hard for a keeper to remain alert when he’s not often busy, but Ospina was always alert when required, nicking the ball away from the pacey Ludogorets forwards on a couple of occasions. Fans noted that a slower keeper, maybe even Cech, would not have got to the ball in time, and given away a penalty and perhaps a red card, Cech has done this against Hull City already this season.
Here’s what some Arsenal fans are saying on Twitter, with many suggesting that Ospina, if he isn’t already, is close to overtaking Cech on form.
If Ospina keeps playing like this, he’s going to overtake Cech…
— hammad. ?? (@HFooty) October 19, 2016
1. Ospina is a very good goalkeeper that we can rely on, he is hot on the heels of Petr Cech on current form. Fair play to Arsene.
— Oli Price-Bates (@OliPriceBates) October 19, 2016
My mate David Ospina played a blinder again. He’s better then Cech tbh.
— Ospina Ultra (@LePhantomMenace) October 19, 2016
The saves Ospina made were sweeper keeper saves.
I don’t think Cech makes those saves.
Schezney gets sent off.
Times are a changing!?
— Clive (@clivepafc) October 19, 2016
Cech needs to step it up as Ospina really pushing him hard for No1.
— Brian Cahill (@briancahill3) October 19, 2016
Ospina is better than Cech
— Jack (@afcjackk) October 19, 2016
I’d agree with them that on form David is better. However with the Colombian you always have an element of nerves, as he can be very unpredictable between the sticks, and you are always nerves about him making catches or claiming crosses. He will need to continue playing at this level for a while yet before I would say he deserves to start ahead of Cech.
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