Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the heroics of goalkeeper David Ospina, claiming that the Colombia international is a world-class player.
The French boss opted to drop Petr Cech for the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, giving the South American stopper a rare outing in the Gunners starting XI.
This move was greeted by derision on social media as Arsenal fans questioned the logic of the decision but Ospina proved himself with some crucial saves as the North London outfit escaped the French capital with a point in a 1-1 draw.
The former Nice custodian was first-choice at the Emirates Stadium for a period in 2014-15, but the acquisition of Cech last summer has severely limited his chances to play.
Wenger has praised Ospina following the Parc de Princes clash and stated that the number two stopper could well continue in goal for Arsenal in the Champions League.
“In the decisive moments when he could have [conceded] a penalty, when at one down in the first half, he came out with a good header,” the coach told the club’s official website.
“You know, I have two world-class goalkeepers, I will repeat that. I know we have enough games to give them games. But if you cannot play… you cannot keep as well two world-class goalkeepers that don’t get games.
“He has the right to train, to stay in the Champions League games.”
