Who else thought it was a mediocre performance from Arsenal against Everton? You would have thought, or at least I did, the team would come out onto the pitch all cylinders firing after their loss on Wednesday to Monaco. Thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky (both were assists from Mesut Özil) by the time the final whistle was blown we’d beaten the Toffees. All credit to David Ospina who kept another clean sheet in the process.
There were, of course, the obligatory scares along the way. The first came in the 17th minute when Gabriel Paulista failed to stop Romelu Lukaku in his tracks. Ospina came racing out of his goal, diverted Lukaku wide out on the field before eventually booting the ball completely out of danger. Though it left the goal face wide open to attack it was a gamble that paid off. Ospina showed his class when he saved a close range shot from Lukaku in the 66th minute and denied Aaron Lennon in the 86th minute. Two shots on target for the Toffees = two saves from Ospina. For now, Ospina has rightfully earned his place as Arsenal’s number one in my books. At the time of going to press it looks like the Arsenal fans have voted for Ospina as their Man of the Match:
RETWEET if @D_Ospina1 was your #AFCvEFC man of the match pic.twitter.com/NJEYLRzYxl
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 1, 2015
David Ospina has now kept 4 clean sheets in 7 league games this season, more than Wojciech Szczesny (3) in 17 games. pic.twitter.com/qS1E2FvxZD
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 1, 2015
When defence decides not to go suicidal, GK can keep their cool & collect cleansheet. Ospina made numerous good saves.
— SAZS (@saskiey) March 1, 2015
I’m not Ospina’s biggest fan but credit where credit is due today; played very well today & boasted two excellent saves. #Oooospinaaa
— FK² (@fkhanage) March 1, 2015
Just got back to the car, great game and important result! Ospina was outstanding!
— Ryan AFC Parker (@derbygooner10) March 1, 2015
David Ospina came to Gada’s rescue with some decisive and fairly brave keeping. #AFC #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/8MgAaZcyYE
— AFCPressWatch™ (@AFCPressWatch) March 1, 2015
Think I’ll give my MOTM to Ospina, cos his sheets are cleaner….
— Jonathan (@GoonerJon777) March 1, 2015
Ospina owned Lukaku today.
— Sir Jenkinson (@theEpicGooner) March 1, 2015
I’ve criticised ospina plenty, so it’s only right and proper to admit he was MOTM today #AFC
— The Blueberry Moon (@TheATrainMusic) March 1, 2015
Ospina? He deserves a medal for his decent performance today #ARSvEFC
— Fussballgott AFC (@putilaanasistia) March 1, 2015
David ospina our no 1 choice keeper!
— King ömari ♚ (@dannmwagi) March 1, 2015