Emilio Martinez is expected to start tonight’s match at home to West Ham, with Arsenal’s first choices both out injured.
Petr Cech limped off the field against West Bromwich Albion last month, and is yet to return to action, but should only be a couple weeks from a return. David Ospina played as recently as the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City, but looked to be struggling with a back injury through-out the match, and looks to be unavailable tonight.
The Colombian is now claimed to have missed training yesterday, which will surely leave Martinez as our most experienced option, with Wojciech Szczesny currently out on loan with Roma.
The 24 year-old now looks set to feature in his fifth Premier League match of his career,his first since December 2014. The Argentine shot-stopper already has two clean sheets in the league from his two previous starts, as well as being credited with shutting out Borussia Dortmund back in 2014 in the Champions League.
His previous record for our side is more than respectable considering his lack of experience, but at this point in the season, we would much rather not have been without our more trusted options.
This season he has starred solely in the League Cup and is yet to concede a goal in his three 90 minute outings, helping the side to 4-0, 2-0 and 2-0 defeats of Nottingham Forest, Reading and Southampton.
Those teams are all of a decent standard, which can give us confidence and belief in Emilio, and West Ham hardly have the form which should worry us, but our team has had some serious struggles in recent months.
Should we be worried about our goalkeeper? Does he deserve his chance?
Pat J