Said it on another thread a while back, but I like what I've seen of Ospina as he is an unfussy and tidy keeper. What has impressed me is his ability to command the area without needing to do any of the fancy or eccentric stuff that seems to plague some keepers. He's in the right place when he needs to be and his decision making on crosses is good too, he doesn't come rushing out for every ball but he is consistent when he does, claiming the ball. Against Villa he also demonstrated how good his distribution is, picking out Walcott on the left wing and setting up the attack which Walcott eventually scored from. His kicking is strong too and he can clear the lines when needed. I like Szczesny, but he is going to find it hard to get back into the No1 spot. Hopefully it will be the kick up the arse that he needs and we'll have two top quality keepers to choose from, but at the moment Ospina is deservedly the No 1
Yes agreed Ospina has a calm decisive nature which we needed. I knew when Wenger bought him he would take the #1 spot and deservedly so. I have never been a fan of Shez due to his lack of confidence in a set piece situation. His lack of confidence filters down to the defense in the same ways Ospina's confidence filters down and you have seen the result. 10 goals in 3 games and 3 clean sheets. Nuff said!
I like him. Szczesny will have to work his ass off to get back in. I'm liking the competition all over the pitch. No one is guaranteed a start. Welbeck and Chuba will have to push Giroud hard. Coq has staked his claim. I hope we get Schneiderlin in the summer. That will keep Coq on his toes. BFG and Kos looking over their shoulders at Gabriel. Rosicky poking at Santi and Ozil. Ox, Walcott, Theo Gnabry... Loving it.
I like the fact that he's a good luck charm and in the games he's played we've won all and barely conceded a shot let alone a goal! I think Szczesny gets an unfair panning on here, but Ospina is def playing well and deserves the spot - though I'm going to wait until he's faced a stern test 1st.
This is the one caveat with Ospina currently, he hasn't yet had a stern test between the sticks. He's done all the basic stuff well and without any fuss but we'll see how good he is when he's up against it. He's benefited from an overall improved defence who've protected him also. I think the game at Spurs will be a bigger test for Ospina.
In fairness City away should have been one of the sternest tests of any season! The big difference has been how well we've set up outfield rather than in goal. I think I've seen him make 3 saves and all routine ones at that! This works for me though and means he's getting a chance to settle in gradually and know his defence rather than getting chucked in at the deep end.
I think ospina is a good GK. He had a very good record prior to joining us and looks tidy in the games he has played for us. But he hasn't really had to do much yet so we will see how he gets on with a longer run in the team.
I hope Ospina will not be replaced after his first mistake. He look a much stronger character and more mature than WS. Two saves he made against AV we're top class considering it was the only two shots on target. And his distribution is miles ahead of WS. The Columbian is just not a 2nd choice keeper. So we have a small selection problem here. At least Martinez is good enough as no 2 in case of a radical solution.
He's just a decent solid keeper. Perhaps Sczeznsy has more natural ability but Ospina is calm, quick thinking and has much better distribution that the Pole.
How do you determine whether a player has more natural ability over another? It is entirely subjective. As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and based on the application which both players have shown on the pitch, Ospina has shown a level of maturity in between the sticks that we haven't seen for ages. He commands his area better, times his jumps well when he comes to collect the ball and he looks far more reliable dealing with set pieces and handling of the ball. This in turn has a positive effect on the defence when they have the belief that their goalkeeper is not error prone. I know he's not been our goalkeeper for long, but what I've seen of Ospina so far has impressed me more than what Szczesny has shown me in his entire Arsenal career. Szczesny will get his chance again at some point but if he wants to reclaim that starting spot, he had better put the work in to wise up.
The problem for Sir Chesney has always been and still is, his cockiness. Way too arrogant at times. Probably more athletic ability than Ospina and can pull off spectacular saves but he is neither reliable nor consistent.
I think Szczesny could still become the better keeper, but he needs to work on his decision making and distribution. His cockiness seems to be preventing him from realising that he still has areas of his game that he needs to work on.
Said that it would take a stern test to see if Ospina had any weaknesses. The way he palms the ball back into the danger area is something of a concern, it cost us a goal againt the spuds today.
Annoyed me so much. He made a couple of decent saves but one has to wonder, would Chez or Martinez have palmed the ball over the bar for the first goal.
Indeed. That being said I wouldn't drop him just yet. Chez is obviously smelling blood and a chance to reclaim his #1 spot back after Ospina's mistake but I'd keep the Colombian in goal vs Leicester and see how he copes (even if he plays badly we should have enough firepower to beat Leicester). And then I'd see how Chez fairs against Middlesboro before switching up who's current #1. Ability wise I think Chesney is better but mentality wise Ospina has the edge. Hopefully time on the bench helps Chez get his head in the game.
Of what I've seen of him he is the best you've had since spunky but I noticed during the spud game rather than catch or put the ball out he parried it back into play on three occasions. If your coaches can rectify that you will at long last have a decent keeper.
