WENGER’S THE NEW TINKERMAN
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 tonight’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.’ 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 Call-up: Ospina was No 1 last season 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. Francis Coquelin has recovered from a knee injury and is set to play alongside Santi Cazorla in central midfield, but Aaron Ramsey could be rested. Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has agreed with his manager’s claim that he lacks confidence. Oxlade-Chamberlain is fully fit after suffering injuries last season but has been urged by Wenger to show more self-belief. The England star said he has received similar feedback from his father, former England international Mark Chamberlain. ‘There might be a little bit of a trend here,’ he said. ‘I am quite critical of myself. I try to demand high standards of myself. Sometimes that can work in a negative fashion. I need to work on that.’