David Ospina wants to leave Arsenal this summer, if we go by the claims of his Arsenal teammate Emiliano Martinez, as reported by Goal.com.
The Colombian has played a crucial role for the Gunners last season during the period when Cech was injured. He struggled initially but got into the groove as the season progressed, while also impressing the fans with his acrobatic skills.
If Ospina does leave the club then Emiliano Martinez is likely to be second choice with Wojciech Szczesny extending his loan deal at Roma for another year.
The move might not worry Arsenal fans but it should considering Petr Cech is now 34 and is nearing his last years.
Martinez recently revealed in an interview that Ospina has decided to leave the North London club in search of regular playing time and the young keeper will take a decision on his own future based on the Columbian’s decision. According to Goal, he said:
“David Ospina wants to leave Arsenal and I am waiting for what happens to him.”
While Petr Cech is the sure fire number one after proving why he is still one of the best keepers in the world with his reliable, sure-handed performances last season, the reserve role is well and truly up for grabs, with Szczesny and Ospina, both possessing the ability to stake a claim to regular playing time.
However, keeping both happy while they sit as the second and third choice keepers is impossible, but with Szczesny likely to re-join Roma for another loan spell, the Columbian will take up that slot. However with these latest reports it seems Martinez might be the surprise second keeper for the Gunners.
David Ospina did perform well in the reserve role last season, standing in towards the end of the year when Cech suffered from a calf injury. He was exceptional in the North London Derby and then was utterly superb for Colombia, as he so often is, in this year’s Copa America.
He is more reliable in the here and now than Szczesny, and after he performed so well last season in a squad role, Arsenal should be keen to keep the status quo. It remains to be seen whether Wenger will let Ospina leave or try convincing him by offering him a more prominent role this season.
