Gunners boss Arsene Wenger fielded David Ospina for Tuesday’s Champions League draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal’s David Ospina applauds fans after the game
Harry Redknapp has revealed to the Evening Standard his belief that Arsenal would not have signed Petr Cech if manager Arsene Wenger believed David Ospina was world class.
The Colombia international was chosen ahead of first-choice stopper Cech for the Gunners’ Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
While some eyebrows raised at his selection, Ospina produced a masterclass of saves to earn his side a draw.
Despite being impressed by Ospina’s display on Tuesday night, former Tottenham manager Redknapp says the change was not a necessary one for Wenger, and that Cech must be the first choice in such occasions as the Champions League.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani in action with Arsenal’s David Ospina
“Ospina couldn’t be faulted for the goal the Gunners conceded in Paris and he made a string of second-half saves to keep them in the match,” he said.
“He is a solid option and you would have no problem calling on him if Cech got injured but to chop and change when one keeper is better than the other is a gamble not worth taking sometimes.
“Cech is 34 but that is hardly ancient for a goalkeeper.
“He will have come to Arsenal expecting to play in the biggest games and it doesn’t come any bigger than the Champions League.
Harry Redknapp
“And you need your best players in such matches because they so often make the difference.
“Cech is a leader, too, despite only having been at the club for a year and if one of the criticisms of Arsenal is that they lack those type of characters, then it is all the more important he is an integral part of the team when the going gets tough.”
Ospina’s performance was arguably his best in an Arsenal shirt and it will have undoubtedly pleased Wenger, who has preferred Cech over Ospina since the Czech’s arrival in 2015.
If the former Nice man can continue to produce performances such as against PSG, he will finally be able to challenge Cech for a place in the starting line-up on a regular basis.
Arsenal’s Petr Cech applauds fans after the game
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