Date: 12th March 2016 at 8:00pm
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With Peter Cech out injured until April, David Ospina will keep his place between the sticks as we take on Watford in the FA Cup. The Columbian will look to build upon a great run of recent performances which has reminded everyone that he is a more than capable backup for Cech.

After a tough year, it’s nice to see him get some positive headlines for the club after being harshly written off by some fans and pundits for a couple of poor performances earlier in the season. He made some crucial saves against Hull in both games and particularly against Spurs where his agility and shot stopping was world class. If we do go on to win the FA Cup, his stunning stop against David Meyler with the score at 0-0 will be remembered as a game changing save. Going a goal down away from home in our current form could have been a mountain to climb.

Most Gooners – while delighted at securing Cech in the summer – had empathy for Ospina losing his place after doing so well when he arrived. He signed for us fresh from a superb World Cup in 2014 and had a fantastic year in North London, keeping 14 clean sheets in 19 appearances and was a massive improvement on the inconsistent and disruptive Szcesnzy.

Cech becoming available was an opportunity Arsene couldn’t turn down, but from Ospina’s point of view it must have been tough for him mentally after making his dream move to drop to the bench having barely put a foot wrong.

His quality performances in 2014/15 were rewarded with a Ballon D’or long list nomination, but controversially it arrived the same week as he had his worst game for us against Olympiacos and arguably lost us the game with two costly mistakes. Instead of Gunners being proud one of our own had received a nomination for the prestigious award, it was viewed unfairly as a bit of a joke.

With Cech doing so well, Ospina’s failings were exemplified after coming in rusty in the Champions League and he was unfairly written off as a liability. He was widely tipped to move on in January and had no shortage of offers from top clubs. Arsene has always maintained though that he rated him as world class and wanted him to stay. His confidence in him not misplaced after his recent displays coming in for Cech.

Aside from the likes of Courtois, De Gea, Hart etc, Ospina at his best is up there with any keeper in the Premier League and is a luxury as a backup keeper. He’s not young or inexperienced and has played on plenty of big stages. He’s reliable, agile, a great shot stopper and has shown dignity during a tough time.  He could be number one at plenty of clubs, and with Cech’s age creeping up on him, if he hangs around for a season or two more, he could still well claim the spot for himself.

 

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