Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina reportedly chose to stay despite an offer from Everton.
Arsenal’s David Ospina
According to Get French Football News, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger promised Champions League football to David Ospina after he received an approach from Everton.
Given that Petr Cech has been Arsenal’s undoubted first-choice goalkeeper since joining from Chelse last summer, it came as something of a surprise when Colombian Ospina was handed a start against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Arsenal’s David Ospina and Petr Cech
Ospina certainly impressed against PSG, vindicating Wenger’s shock decision to start him – but Cech is expected to return for this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Hull City.
Arsenal fans have been left a little perplexed as to why Ospina was thrown in against PSG, but a report emerging earlier today has attempted to clear up the situation.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Get French Football News report that Ospina was ‘very serious’ about leaving Arsenal this past summer, but manager Wenger promised him first-team football in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, convincing him to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s stated that the agreement will be in place all season unless Wenger feels Ospina is struggling, and the promise meant that Ospina snubbed outside interest – even from Premier League rivals Everton, who allegedly made an approach to sign the former Nice goalkeeper.
Colombia international David Ospina celebrates
The Toffees saw Tim Howard move on to Colorado Rapids, and whilst veteran Maarten Stekelenburg arrived from Fulham, manager Ronald Koeman doesn’t appear to fancy backup Joel Robles.
Had Everton signed Ospina, the Colombia international would surely have been first-choice ahead of Stekelenburg, but he chose to stay at Arsenal according to today’s reports – and it remains to be seen whether the Toffees make another move for the 28-year-old in the future.
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