An Arsenal goalkeeper did the unthinkable against Östersunds FK on Thursday night: they saved a penalty.
Petr Cech hasn’t saved a single spot-kick since he moved to Arsenal from Chelsea in 2015 and, at this rate, it’s looking like he never will.
Perhaps this is why David Ospina has now become a hero among fans for his penalty-save against Östersunds FK in the Europa League.
Although Arsenal were dominating the Swedish team comfortably by this late stage, when Shkodran Mustafi shoved Saman Ghoddos down in the area, fans felt sure their first clean sheet since the draw away to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, in which Ospina was also between the sticks, was in jeopardy.
Ospina saves a penalty. @PetrCech pic.twitter.com/uZNn494nCV
— M1Ö (@MesutOzilClass) February 15, 2018
It wasn’t.
Okay, Tom Pettersson’s penalty wasn’t the best but Ospina still actually had to throw himself to the ground without hurting himself – something he doesn’t usually manage.
And I doubt Pettersson was that gutted.
https://twitter.com/FutballTweets/status/964259142272798731
Arsenal haven’t kept a clean sheet in the Premier League with Cech as goalkeeper since December 16 against Newcastle.
With this in mind, it’s not really surprising that Arsenal fans are calling for the Colombian to take over as the team’s no.1. Although Ospina used to be the club’s comedy-‘keeper, Cech seems pretty keen to take up that role instead.
During his career, the 35-year-old has saved 16 penalties and none of them have been for Arsenal. This season, he’s kept just 10 clean sheets in 29 appearances – that’s a clean sheet for 34.5% of the matches he’s played in.
Ospina has kept six clean sheets in 11 appearances – 54.5%.
Admittedly, the 29-year-old has had fewer opportunities to mess up but, after watching a well below-par Cech in action this season, fans are genuinely considering whether giving Dave a chance as no.1 is such a bad idea.
It’s oddly unsettling.
Here’s what Twitter had to say over the penalty save:
He should be our first goalkeeper, after showing great performance nowadays, and petr struggling with his lil injury
— Àchirul Satriya (@ac_chirul) February 16, 2018
He should be our number 1. Much more consistent when he’s in the net then when Cech is. Plus Cech hasn’t saved a penalty since 1964
— Goonerette TV – GTV (@HONESTAFC) February 15, 2018
Cech @PetrCech would have broken his thumb diving to his left.
— FordJ (@FordFacer) February 15, 2018
No way our keeper save a penalty 😱😱😱
— Piotr (@piotrxafc) February 15, 2018
Still can’t get it why Cech plays more games yet he sucks in the area…… #Ospina deserves more games bc Cech can’t deliver
— JaidWest 💖👑 (@NoordiinJ) February 16, 2018
Ooooooooospinaaa! I love you man!
— Sandra Thulambo (@SandySandush) February 15, 2018
Cech 200th clean sheet is with Ospina
— Na man u be🚶💪🚶 (@Ose_mighty) February 15, 2018
AN ARSENAL KEEPER SAVED A PENALTY! I REPEAT AN ARSENAL KEEPER SAVED A PENALTY!
— #YöPierre (@SeadKolasitank) February 16, 2018
Ospina is better than Cech
— Cast4wayGames (@Cast4wayGamesYT) February 16, 2018
the reason i rate Ooospina ahead of cech
— abel fikre (@abenal_afc) February 15, 2018
Ospina > Cech please!!
— Aubameyang14 (@JDalee2) February 15, 2018
Million times better ✌#Oooooospina ❤ #COYG 🔴 #OSTvAFC #UEL⚽
— Ranjit Jacob (@ranjitcjay) February 15, 2018
This guy should be no1 not the other!
— isaac kamau (@isaacka17013531) February 16, 2018
bench Cech Asap #Ospina is the real deal
— Bournë Snodgrass. (@StevenHector3) February 15, 2018
Start him every game goddamnit !
— Fatah (@fadillahfatah7) February 15, 2018
Far better than under cover from Chelsea..
— PST STEVEN ONYEALISI (@c_onyealisi) February 15, 2018
☺Ospina saved penalty 91′
😍I love Ospina….hope Cech is watching😀
If it was that oldman it was going in😅😅
— MoGjosely (@ARSFaNjosely) February 15, 2018
Saved more penalties in one night than Cech has managed in his entire Arsenal career.
— Mickey Parker (@Zurich_MickeyP) February 15, 2018