Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger poised to start David Ospina against Olympiacos

David Ospina is expected to return to goal in the Champions League
Arsene Wenger is looking to keep a summer promise to the Colombian
He could replace Arsenal No 1 Petr Cech for Tuesday night’s crucial clash

Published:
21:34 GMT, 28 September 2015

|
Updated:
01:16 GMT, 29 September 2015

View
comments

Arsene Wenger is poised to take another Champions League gamble as he looks to keep his summer promise to keeper David Ospina.

The Arsenal manager is considering playing the Colombian instead of regular No 1 Petr Cech for Tuesday’s crucial clash against Olympiacos.

When asked about the possible change, Wenger replied: ‘I need to give Ospina games. He is a top-level goalkeeper but that doesn’t mean that he will play tomorrow. The decision of who plays will go game by game.’

Arsene Wenger is poised to take another Champions League gamble against Olympiacos on Tuesday

Colombian stopper David Ospina is poised to start Arsenal’s Champions League fixture against Olympiacos

Petr Cech could have to settle for a spot on the bench with Ospina likely to start against the Greek side

Wenger sprang the same surprise selection for his side’s 2-0 loss away at Dinamo Zagreb a fortnight ago.

The decision to play Ospina instead of Cech took many by surprise, particularly given Cech’s huge Champions League experience.

But, as Sportsmail revealed after the loss in Zagreb, Ospina has been assured of playing his fair share of games following talks with Wenger over the summer.

Ospina ended last season as the club’s first-choice keeper after ousting Wojciech Szczesny. He played a pivotal role in helping Arsenal finish third and had expected to start the season as first choice.

However, the arrival of Cech concerned Ospina, who felt he had done enough at the end of last season to warrant starting this term as No 1.

Instead of heading on his summer holidays following Colombia’s exit from the Copa America as was expected, Ospina took a detour to London to discuss his future with Wenger, who told him he would be given ample playing time.

In addition to starting the game against Dinamo Zagreb, Ospina also played in last week’s Capital One Cup win over Tottenham.

Arsenal centre back Gabriel is set to start for the Gunners against Olympiacos ahead of Per Mertesacker, who has formed a formidable defensive partnership with Laurent Koscielny in recent seasons.

But Gabriel has impressed Wenger during the early part of the campaign and is putting huge pressure on Mertesacker for the starting slot alongside Koscielny.