Arsenal Vs Spurs: David Ospina will have to do

Petr Cech hobbled off in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Everton, and is now facing an uphill battle to be fit for Saturday’s North London derby. David Ospina, then, will have to do.

The North London derby is on its way. Arsenal currently sit four points behind Spurs, and after Chelsea’s shock 4-1 loss to Watford on Monday night and Liverpool’s draw with the Gunners’ fiercest rivals, still see their top-four hopes hang in the balance. There is much to play for.

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Not only do the Gunners need to keep pace with those around them, but there is also a growing power struggle in North London that the media will not let anybody dare forget. This is one of the most hotly contested derbies in some time. And Wenger will have to navigate it without this best goalkeeper.

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Per a report from The Daily Telegraph, Petr Cech, after hobbling off in the second half against Everton, even though he battled through the pain for some time after taking a knock while careering into Oumar Niasse in an attempt to corral Theo Walcott’s whipped cross, will not be ready to make a return to action in time for Saturday lunchtime’s trip to Wembley.

Naturally, that will see his understudy take up the goalkeeping gloves, stand between the sticks, and face up to the rather daunting challenge of parrying clear the best-laid strikes of one of the most fearsome and ferocious strikers in world football. David Ospina has quite a task on his hands.

The Colombian has been the keeper that Wenger has turned to in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League this season. He has also had stints as the starter in seasons prior to Cech’s 2015 arrival. He is not an unprepared, nervous, inexperienced kid. He is established, intelligent and aware of the duty at hand.

Now, that most certainly does not mean that he is without his flaws. There is a reason why he is currently sat behind Cech in the Gunners’ pecking order. But it does prove that Wenger is not having to thrust a player who might be unsuspecting of the pressure and the challenges of what a North London derby poses.

Spurs will be happy that Cech is not available for selection, if it so transpires as The Telegraph’s reporting claims, and they will be looking to exploit Ospina, especially from wide areas and set plays, trying to enforce their greater physicality on a player who stands at only 6-foot-1 and is known for his troubles in commanding his area from crosses.

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It is up to Ospina to prove that he is capable of handling the expectation of such an important game. Arsenal need him to.