David Ospina has drawn a line under speculation linking him with an Arsenal exit by confirming he’s happy to stay and fight it out for a first team berth.
The Colombian moved to the Gunners two years ago as back-up to Wojciech Szczesny and established himself as the Gunners first choice keeper after the Pole was dropped for disciplinary purposes. The ex-Nice stopper returned to playing second fiddle following the arrival of Petr Cech a year ago, but proved his mettle when called upon at vital moments of last season.
“I have a contract with Arsenal, I’m happy with the team,” Ospina told reporters in Los Angeles after the Gunner’s friendly with Chivas de Guadalajara on Monday. “We are fighting for the top of the league.
“Now we have two weeks until we start the season. These friendlies serve us very well.”
Ospina’s decision to stay at Arsenal – he had been linked with Turkish side Besiktas – opens the door for Wojciech Szczesny to complete a second season-long loan deal with AS Roma.
The Poland international made 42 appearances for the Serie A outfit last season impressing between the sticks as the Giallorossi finished third behind Napoli and Juventus.
It’s long been rumoured that Szczesny would return to the Stadio Olimpico even though Roma pushed ahead with the summer signing of Brazil international goalkeeper Alisson from Internacional.
Szczesny hasn’t played in the Arsenal first team since the 2014 2015 FA Cup final after being replaced by Petr Cech as the club’s first-choice keeper last summer.
There’s a suggestion that Roma could snap up Szczesny on a permanent basis for €16 million at the end of next season, that’s if a mooted buyout clause has indeed been agreed by Arsenal.
I would be disappointed to see Szczesny leave permanently, I’m among his fans, but apart from that I’m relieved it sounds like the goalkeeping situation is at least resolved for the coming season.
Still really hoping he stays. Having a Szczpina 1-2 lineup once Cech leaves would be dreamy. Maybe too much of a dream to be real, however.
Cech is 34. I hope there’s five or more years left in him for Arsenal.
Szczesny is a fine keeper and as homegrown as can be. But I worry about how he is mentally and psychologically. Not many keepers get a shot at being first-choice keepers at a top club at such a young age. While physically he was up for it, I think he never grew up into the role in a way that was needed.
I get the feeling that’s changed a little bit since he went to Roma. I think he gained something from going and playing at a club where he didn’t grow up.
2015 FA Cup final (rather than 2014) was Szczesny’s last game, no?
Yep.
Fabianski in 2014. Last game for Arsenal.
I agree. I am still hoping to see Szczesny make the No 1 spot his own… and I don’t mind if he takes a couple of years doing it as long as he comes back with lots of confidence and maybe some sort of Italian medals (Cos winners make teams better).
The reason why ospina did not leave was because we did not win the fact cup last season.
Fa cup. Damn auto correct.
I would have preferred a new younger keeper come in this summer to learn from Cech but also be a competent number two incase of injury and Ospina being sold. Personally Ospina has never convinced me, he dropped the ball in his net last season, that weird thing when he stands behind the goal line when making a save & I think he’s just too small for the Prem. Unfortunately Szczesny is done at the club under Wenger, he’s never really been forgiven for the Southampton game and he won’t be happy as a number two so it makes sense… Read more »
You know, not many people on this section actively seek dislikes by writing the way you have written.
I couldn’t care less, I write my opinion and if people like or dislike it’s up to them.
I don’t rate Ospina as a keeper playing in the premier league and I want a new manager.
I would happily engage in conversation with any fan on here about either as long as it’s in a cordial way with no name calling or being told if you don’t agree with something to ‘go support spurs’.
Cock, glock and roll. You have no fucking idea. Ospina is class.
Are you a troll Gloken? Or just a constantly negative AW hater? I’ve never read a positive comment from you to date…
Zsczesny still wears Arsenal’s No. 1 Jersey this season. Says so much about how the club feels about him. He’s also a Gooner through and through. He is quoted as saying recently that he wouldn’t mind a year (even 2 I dare think) more at Roma on loan until when he can vie for a 1st 11 call-up at the Emirates. In my opinion he’s young enough to do that and if he keeps improving he could become an Arsenal legend!
I hope this message goes through to Arsene. Why arent you working on a deal with roma for manolas-szczesny? They want wojciech. We should want manolas. Lets trade. Give us manolas for a good price and we loan you wojciech and pay his wages. We have the money to do so, ivan.
Thats all Arsene. Now im just gonna give your random last names of people ive seen on television: cavani, icardi, lukaku, sturridge, aubemeyang, morata, mandzukic, delofeu, mahrez, zaza, dybala and bendtner. “Super quality” is gonna make us better.
/Pavlos
Good news… especially like Gibbs, he can probably waltz into the first 11 of most Premier League clubs and play week in week out.
Not sure who I’ll take between Ospina and Szcz after Cech retires.
That’s right. In Ospina, we have the league’s best second-choice keeper, hands down.
begovic at chelsea is a sleeper though
Ospina is one of the best shot stoppers around. I’d say he’s probably the second choice in the league. Everytime I watch him play for Colombia, he’s always been spectacular.
A bit surprised he doesn’t want to leave.
oooooooooooooooooooooooospinaaa
Maybe Ospina figures he could follow Cech into the #1 spot sooner than we think.
I’d like a big open door for a Szcz buy back in any deal if one happens.
I still think Szcz could end up as one of our greatest keepers. He has all the main attributes including height, agility and presence. All he needs to become the finished article is better judgement which will only come from playing at the highest level. I’d like to see him as our number one
In a couple of years time. It worries me that Ospina is happy being our second string. It smacks of complacency and settling for a cushy life. Top players want to be top choice!
Sorry but i dont see any complacency, In gk terms Ospina is still young, and im sure he knows that if Cech has some bad performances, he will get a run out because has talen t
Good news. Keeper position is sorted for next season.
I think Ospina is still nice! 🙂
Would be very surprised if they’d put a buy-out clause in the contract since the club/Arsene seem not to like them. Did they ever have one in the contract of an Arsenal player?
Cech had some poor moments last season. Ospina is a very good goalkeeper, it’s not out of the question that he could displace Cech. I’ve never warmed to Cech either, given he was Mourinho’s puppet for so long. I hope Ospina kicks him to the bench.
Mourinhos puppet? What a clown comment, was this a Sauron/Witch King of Angmar type arrangement between the two?
Great decision David! Your time will come. Patience will definitely pay off at the end. Easily Arsenal’s first choice keeper for the foreseeable future.