Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina under pressure despite his Champions League heroics
Arsenal goalkeeper knows he is just one mistake away from getting the Euro axe
DAVID OSPINA knows he is just one mistake away from the Arsenal axe, despite being their Champions League goalkeeper.
The Colombian international, 28, has been promised European football by boss Arsene Wenger.
But he had the same assurances last year — until he was replaced by Petr Cech after a costly home loss against Panathinaikos.
It was a result which sets them up to finish top of Group A and brought a guarantee from Wenger that Ospina will keep his place for the next game at home to Basel.
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Yet Cech remains Wenger’s first-choice keeper and will be back for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Hull.
And although he is not exactly overjoyed to be on the bench for Europe, he has accepted the decision — for now.
Wenger claims the job-sharing was the only way he could make Ospina stay.
The £3.2million signing from Nice has spent most of his two years here as back-up to Wojciech Szczesny and Cech.
But now he senses he can challenge for the No 1 position on a regular basis.
He said: “I was happy with how I played in Paris and I need to work hard to be ready for every chance.
“I was only told I was in the team on the morning of the match and was very happy. Even though we respect all the teams in our group, Paris Saint-Germain away is the biggest match for us.
“So to get a draw there is a good result and we can look to build on that.”
Wenger has repeatedly defended Ospina against accusations he is too small to cope in the Premier League.
And it is understood the Frenchman was not impressed by 34-year-old Cech’s performance in the 4-3 home defeat by Liverpool on the opening day.
Some also felt the Czech ace was at fault for Southampton’s goal at the Emirates on Saturday, when he could only push Dusan Tadic’s free-kick against the bar and then inadvertently turned the rebound into his own goal.
Wenger also has the option of bringing Szczesny back from loan at Roma to challenge Cech and Ospina.
But former Arsenal idol Ian Wright is still not convinced about the Colombian.
He said: “I could understand if it was the League Cup, but it’s the Champions League and Petr Cech is the No 1 keeper.
“Ospina needs to get games, but for me he knows he is second choice.
“I don’t think he would have caused too many problems for Arsene Wenger if he was not playing away to PSG.”