Ospina will be a safe pair of hands for boss Wenger
DAVID OSPINA was only seven when he witnessed the Colombian nicknamed ‘El Loco’ wow the world during a friendly with England at Wembley.
A cross-cum-shot by Jamie Redknapp should have resulted in a straightforward catch. Instead, Rene Higuita cleared with a scorpion kick on his own line, turning into an instant legend.
When Arsenal’s own Colombian stands between the sticks in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley today, he will not try anything half as silly. Ospina knows better.
Manager Arsene Wenger would not allow anything so outrageous anyway, though the Frenchman fears individuality is something that is now lost in football.
‘Higuita, of course, the crazy keeper,’ the 68-yearold said ahead of tackling Manchester City today. ‘I wouldn’t really be happy, no (if Ospina gave it a go).
‘I think that shows as well that football has changed. These kind of characters have disappeared from the game. With the importance of every result, there is less room for this kind of improvisation and more individual responsibility on the players.
‘The balance between creativity and the risk has become in favour of: “Let’s be cool”.’
Asked about Higuita, Ospina added: ‘For us Colombians, Higuita is a really important figure. He did so much for the national team and the country.’
And that scorpion kick? ‘Of course, I watched it on the television. We were all delighted and talked about it a lot. It was great he did it at Wembley, too,’ he added.
This is the one English trophy that has eluded Wenger, who has taken home three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups in his 22 years at Arsenal. He oversaw losses in the 2007 and 2011 finals of this competition.
According to Shkodran Mustafi, one way to avoid a third defeat in a final will be to put the shackles on City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
‘It will be very important to try to stop his qualities because players like him can make things happen,’ said the Gunners defender.
Standing between De Bruyne and the back of the net is not a ‘crazy Colombian’ but a sensible one who Wenger is hoping does his job to the letter. Then, maybe, the Carabao Cup will finally be his.