Since Petr Cech arrived at Arsenal, the ex-Chelsea star has seen the Gunners win two FA cup Finals, but the big Czech has not played in either of them. In his first year Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0 with Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks, and last year it was David Ospina in the net when we faced the League Champions Chelsea. The Colombian remembers playing a big part in the Gunners lifting the trophy.
Ospina was injured for last year’s semifinal (and replaced by Cech) when we beat Man City in extra time, but was recovered and recalled for the Final. Arsenal bounced back from 1-0 down and Olivier Giroud put us 2-1 just ten minutes from the end, and we were desperately holding on when Diego Costa had a great chance from close to Ospina’s goal, but he somehow managed to stop him hitting the net. Ospina remembers it proudly. “That was really key moment in the game,” Ospina said. “We were leading 2-1 at that point and the game was about to end.
“We knew Chelsea were a good side and had quality players. At any minute they could change the course of the game. With that save I helped the team stay ahead and secure victory.”
Now he gets another chance to get a winners medal against Man City and he admits that it will be just as hard as beating Chelsea last year. “They have a great coach and great players,” he said. “They do everything really well and have excellent ideas.
“They know exactly what they want to do. As opponents we need to challenge that with our game, be strong at the back and push forward, try to seize every opportunity we can.”
It is fair to say that Arsenal fans are quickly losing confidence in Petr Cech this season and are probably pleased to see Ospina back in the side. Maybe if he can win us another trophy Wenger may give him a chance to be his Number One in place of Cech for a while?
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If the outfield players do not support him, it would be highly improbable. Soccer is a teamwork, where the attackers have to pressurize the opponent’s defenders, the midfielders have to press and the defenders act as the last barrier before the goalkeeper
Nobody in the team is allowed to neglect his duty as a team player, even the no 10 like Messi, Neymar, etc. If you ever watched Spain vs Italy or Spain vs Albania in the World Cup qualification matches, you would see how Isco, Thiago and Silva chased, tackled and pressurized their opponents
When chec joined arsenal he was on the decline and about the same level as ospina. Now years late ospina is most likely the better keeper. He just needs a good solid run of games and can start performing how he did in the worldcup when we spotted him. I would be happy to give chec ospina a chance but please get rid of chec. We need at minimum a new keeper either the youth team products or buy one. A out and out world class CDM maybe richarlson and a world class CB and another RB (Ainsley could most likely filly the CDM or RB roll. He is going to be world class he is so calm on the ball and looks like he is playijg at school and is alot better than the rest of the players his age. )
Agree with above.
The GK needs support to be effective and outfielders have defensive duties also. That’s been our biggest weakness this season.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a quality defensive midfielder to help protect the defenders and both Ozil and Mkhitaryan (cup tied) hate defending.
Because of possibility of penalties, Ospina should start or do a Van Gaal and play Cech then bring out Ospina for penalties like Van Gaal did in the World Cup with his Goalkeepers lol.
That is if all sub has not been used
Can anybody explain why danny welbeck is still an arsenal player???
word on the street that City will win this game…
either 2-1, 3-1 or penalties….
time to place the bets
this is real sad….
Yes he can, but this defense will surely let him down
I’m confused by tne poster’s description of the Cup Final. Sanchez put us ahead. Costa equalised and Ramsey scored the winner.