Arsenal: Of course David Ospina wants to leave

David Ospina has stated that he will consider his options in the future. Given his treatment and opportunities, though, it should not be surprising that he wants to leave Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger believes that he has two ‘world-class’ goalkeepers. He has protested that on several occasions, despite the evidence on the contrary, and, as a result, he is quite willing to rotate between the two of them, even in high profile games such as Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

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Wenger has already stated that David Ospina will start for Arsenal. It is a brave decision, one that is asking for trouble if the Colombian makes any slight error or misjudgement. But it does indicate, perhaps, the unhappiness of Ospina, with Wenger desperate to provide him with games of meaning and significance.

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That thinking would certainly coincide with a recent interview that Ospina did with Direct TV. When asked about the restricted opportunities that he has in North London because of the presence of Petr Cech, who features in every Premier League game if fit and available, Ospina admitted that he would have to consider his options in the future:

"“I am open to everything. Today I give everything for Arsenal, I like to be successful here, but you start to contemplate every alternative depending on each situation. I still have a contract, but as I say, I always like to have more opportunities, to have more continuity in the squad as every goalkeeper needs. Today, I am sharing my position with an excellent goalkeeper in Petr, but he knows that I like to play and I know he likes to keep playing, we have this competition between us, I just like to have continuity, I will think about the future at another moment.”"

Although Ospina does not directly admit that he wants to leave, reading between the lines, it is not difficult to conclude that that is his overriding feeling. That, though, should not be surprising. While he is not the world-class goalkeeper that Wenger claims him to be, Ospina is still a good player deserving of far more than just a reserve role. He is a competitive, serious player who is wanting to play at the highest possible level. I am sure he looks at Wojciech Szczesny, who is set to inherit the Juventus gloves when Gianluigi Buffon retires, with great envy.

And for Arsenal, it is not all that damaging. Ospina is a perfectly adequate goalkeeper who is useful as a number two. But he is nothing more. Nor should he be. It would be far more beneficial for Wenger to invest in a younger, prospective individual who can both support Cech, deputising for him in the lesser cup competitions, and learn from the extensively experienced but now 35-year-old, eventually taking over from him when the time is right. Ospina is not that man.

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If he were to leave, it would be sad to see a dutiful and responsible squad member depart. He has worked hard during his time in North London, endearing himself to the fans, the manager, and his teammates. But, in all probability, it is time to move on. That should not be all that surprising whatsoever.