Arsenal manager Wenger confirms David Ospina will start Carabao Cup final

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Arsenal’s David Ospina is expected to start the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says goalkeeper David Ospina will start the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City despite not being thought of as the club’s number one, speaking to the club’s official website.

Petr Cech, signed from rivals Chelsea three seasons ago, is widely regarded as the club’s number one goalkeeper and generally starts all of the club’s Premier League fixtures.

Wenger, however, has been keen to give number two Ospina valuable game time in the Europa League and Carabao Cup and the same can be said of a few other fringe players at the Emirates.

Having made the Carabao Cup final, one would think that it would be natural to start the best possible XI available, but Wenger has opted to stick to his guns and confirm that Opsina will start the Wembley clash.

“Yes [Ospina will start the cup final]”, Wenger told the club’s official website.

“It’s always a difficult decision but I think they are clear about that. Since the start of the season, it’s clear. He played in the whole competition. I have two world-class goalkeepers and I decided from the start on to have clarity in the games they play. I maintain that.”

Ospina joined Arsenal in 2014 but has barely featured over the past three seasons, making just seven appearances in the Premier League.

The Colombia international has predominantly started the earlier rounds in cup competitions, missing out on the FA Cup final in 2015 before finally starting last year’s final as the Gunners defeated Chelsea 2-1.

Wenger is evidently comfortable with both of his goalkeepers, and as a sense of continuity he is happy to start Ospina against Manchester City, despite Cech being the preferred choice among some supporters.

The 29-year-old will be keen to repay the faith shown in him, but the task of overcoming Pep Guardiola’s men could not be more difficult as City will no doubt start the game as heavy favourites.