Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs AC Milan: 5 things we learned – This is weird

By Andrew Dowdeswell

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 08: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between AC Milan and Arsenal at the San Siro on March 8, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 08: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between AC Milan and Arsenal at the San Siro on March 8, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Petr Cech, David Ospina
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: David Ospina of Arsenal comes on for Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on February 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

4. David Ospina still makes me nervous

Arsene Wenger seems insistent on rotating his two goalkeepers. He repeatedly protests that he was two ‘world class’ shot-stoppers. I’m not sure he even has one. Nevertheless, there is a clear disparity between the two that he has, and the one who plays in the Europa League, now the most important competition of the season, is the worse of the two.

David Ospina is an excellent athlete. He saves shots with terrific agility and sharp reactions. But there are issues in his communication, the command of his area, especially from crosses and set plays, and in his decision making.

Against Milan, he could have easily conceded a penalty as he rashly flung himself at the feet of the far-too-honest Hakan Calhanoglu, he flapped at several crosses, including one corner in which Leonardo Bonucci beat him to the ball and should have scored, and chose the risky passes when a more conservative clearance would have been better served. Ospina is fine, in theory, but in practice, he still makes me very nervous indeed.