Arsene Wenger has backed David Ospina to one day replace Petr Cech as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The 27-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since making a costly mistake in the 3-2 Champions League defeat to Olympiakos in September. That loss left Arsenal’s hopes of getting into the latter stages of the competition hanging in the balance and saw Cech installed as the undisputed number one.
The former Chelsea stopper has since gone on to break the Premier League clean sheet record and has drawn plenty of plaudits for his form as Arsenal squeezed through in Europe while moving clear at the top of the league.
But Wenger is ready to bring Ospina back in from the cold after confirming the Colombia international will start Saturday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Sunderland.
“I think he can be the goalkeeper of the future here as well,” the Arsenal boss said of Ospina. “With Petr Cech getting older year after year, he may get more games as well… I believe that Ospina is not treated fairly. If you look at the whole of 2015, everybody neglects he played six months.
“I personally think he is world class. I did not take Petr Cech based on the performances of Ospina. Petr Cech was just an exceptional opportunity where it was difficult to say no. It was not because I was unhappy with Ospina.
“I was very happy with Ospina. It was just an opportunity to say no would not have been right. Unfortunately, Ospina has been punished by that decision. I rate him highly.
Cech v Ospina PL figures for #Arsenal If Cech is worth 12 points a season, Ospina must be worth 25! pic.twitter.com/ApCH1tdtX8
— Andy Kelly (@Gooner_AK) January 2, 2016
“True he had a bad season because he has that mistake and when you do not have many opportunities and you have one bad catch, everyone is after you.”
Arsenal are looking to retain the FA Cup and lift the trophy for a third season in succession but Wenger will likely make some changes to his starting XI with Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez to sit out.
One man who won’t be in the squad is prospective new signing Mohammed Elneny with Wenger admitting the Egyptian midfielder’s transfer from Basel is becoming “complicated” but should be completed by Monday or Tuesday.
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce will rest some of his key men with Costel Pantilimon, Yann M’Vila and Lee Cattermole to be given the day off and 21-year-old keeper Jordan Pickford and defender Tom Beadling set to start.
