3. Ospina Is Number 1
It’s hard to believe really, but there is a slight positive we can take out of the game, and that is the fact we’ve found our new number 1 between the sticks. Early scares were brought to Gunners fans in the opening ten minutes, after he suffered a small blow to his upper thigh following the acrobatic effort to shut out Harry Kane’s early shot.
He dusted himself off and was determined to carry on, although I don’t know how wise that decision was because he still seemed to be in some pain throughout the game. Nevertheless, the Colombian managed to stay calm and controlled in front of goal, shutting out 10 of Tottenham’s 12 shots on target.
The thing that stands out the most is his aerial dominance, he is someone we can have confidence in when set pieces are floated over the six yard line, and there is never a moment where the defenders are unsure whether he really is going to get to that ball.
There isn’t much he could have done today about the two goals, and he should be disappointed with a defence that made him do a lot more work than he had to. In time, he will begin to shout at that back four, but its understandable to stand back whilst he settles in.
In my eyes, he has done enough to prove himself, and I feel Szczesny has to really work if he wants to play in the Premier League again this season. The Pole will get run outs in the FA Cup and possibly the Champions League, but I feel we really have a fight on our hands for the number 1 jersey, which isn’t exactly a bad thing Arsenal fans!
Arsenal take on Leicester City on Tuesday night, 7.45pm k.o.