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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