Ospina gets nod ahead of Cech for Bayern Munich clash

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will reward backup goalkeeper David Ospina for his earlier European endeavours with a continued starting berth at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Petr Cech will be dropped to the bench for the encounter, with the French manager citing the “quality” of Ospina’s performances during the group stage as the reason for his inclusion from the first whistle in the huge Round of 16 tilt.

Ospina, 28, is usually reserved for the cup competitions by Wenger, but his selection has been gratefully received by large sections of the Arsenal support. Not only was the Colombian ever-present as the Gunners went unbeaten and finished top of Group A, but he has also been ushered into the lineup when Cech has faced some criticism.

The Czech Republic international’s agent, Viktor Kolar, recently insisted his client wouldn’t be leaving the Emirates Stadium in the summer following his blunder against former club Chelsea, when he inadvertently teed up ex-teammate Cesc Fabregas for the Blues’ third in a 3-1 win.

(Photo courtesy: Reuters)

Ospina has faced vilification himself in the past, predominantly due to his relative lack of height – he stands at six-feet – apparently leaving him susceptible at set-pieces. He has shown some fantastic athleticism for both Arsenal and Colombia, however.

Arsenal has been eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League by Bayern on three occasions since 2005, but winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who’s put in some admirable performances as a fill-in defensive midfielder in his last two outings, says his side has a chance.

“They’re a very good team, but so are we if we play as good as we can on the day,” he told the club website. “We can cause them enough troubles and go on and win. Obviously we’ve had a few good experiences at the Allianz too. I think we’ve drawn once, a tough game and obviously we’ve won there.

“So we’ve proved enough to ourselves over the years that we’re good enough to come away with the right result, we just need to focus on how we’re going to do it and come up with the plan and then it’s all about delivering on the day and that’s going to be the difference.”

Following the trip to German giant Bayern, Arsenal travels to 5,000-capacity Gander Green Lane to take on non-league Sutton United in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday.