Every single Arsenal fan is well aware that Petr Cech’s record of never saving a penalty for Arsenal has been a handicap for the Gunners ever since his arrival, and their have been games where a save would have made a massive difference (West Brom is the first example that comes to mind).
Also we all know that the Czech veteran is having trouble getting his record of 200 clean sheets because we haven’t kept a clean sheet for 9 games with Petr in goal. Well we all know that in the Europa League David Ospina was used, and guess what? Not only did we keep a clean sheet, but he even saved a penalty in the last minute. Did Wenger notice this? Here is what he said: “For me [the penalty save] was very important, to not tarnish our performance tonight,”
“It would have been a bitter taste.
“We did the job. We started well and controlled the game against a side who are good, you can see it’s a quality team, but once we opened the score I think we were in control.
“Maybe we didn’t push enough in the final third in the second half, but overall we played a serious game, job done. (They looked) very nervous at the start and we took advantage of it.”
So could this be a wake up call for Wenger? Is it time for us to finally accept that Cech is getting a little past his prime?
Darren N
I’d prefer to bring in Martinez, he’s young, tall, agile and lots of potential but he’s out on loan so I suppose with not much choice available and with Cech finished (one decent game against Tottenham) we might as well give Ospina a run, if only to give us any chance with penalties. Truth be told, the pair of them are not good enough.
I do not think Ospina is better than Cech or Martinez. Ospina did a good job yesterday, but over all i still feel very worried every cross they make in PL with him as our GK. He would be better else where.
yeah ospina should get a chance now..
think macey would be good hes 2m…but lack experience…
We don’t have a GK in the two of them.
Am talking about a GK that can give us point as David gave Man u against us at Emirates.
Also, remember that Wenget usually have agreement with players. Cech will keep in PL no matter form based on agreement with Wenger.
Ospina should be given a run now and Cech should retire.
I can’t see Cech being dropped…
I wish we could buy Oblac from Athletico
Oblak is the best. A level above Cech and 2 levels above Ospina. Would he come, though?
Isn’t it more important that our players stop conceding stupid unnecessary penalties? Other teams don’t appear to have the problems Arsenal have in this area.
Ospina’s height is a great worry for me. I just don’t see him as a permanent solution to our keeper situation. I think Martinez will be very good for the team because he’s young, tall and very agile and if given the opportunity, I believe will be the answer to our goal keeping problems.
Cech’s better days are behind him but he is still ahead of Ospina in my view.We need a Top Tier GK next season and Oblak is being touted and this is the type of quality we need to introduce in ALL positions that need strengthening.Next season I would have the following pecking order for our keepers
Oblak (or similar quality)
Cech-He would relish a No2 roll with the cup games to keep him sharp
Martinez-He will get his opportunities and follows Cech to No2 roll after 1or2 seasons
Macey-loaned out for season
Ospina -Too good not to play regularly but NOT good enough to be AFC No.Sell him and let him enjoy some game time
when you talk of height depriving ospina of being our goalie,then the thgt of fabian barthez keeping for france and also making them win a world cup tournament comes to mind. He was also lacking height but has a good leap. What ospina needs is basically working on jumps so he can ve that advantage whenever being faced with the case of handling set-pieces. He sure is much better hving him as a goalie compared to cech who has kept in almost 16penalties now without even going the directions of where all the spot kicks went let alone catching it. That guy is past his time…..