Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina confirmed to face Ostersund and Manchester City as Arsene Wenger sticks to cup commitment

James Olley21 February 2018

Arsene Wenger has confirmed second-choice goalkeeper David Ospina will start both tomorrow’s Europa League last 32, second leg against Ostersund and Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City.

The Gunners boss struck an agreement with Ospina and Cech at the beginning of the campaign that the former would play in cup competitions with the latter preferred in Premier League games.

Wenger today confirmed he would be honouring that arrangement this week despite the prospect of facing Pep Guardiola’s runaway League leaders at Wembley.

“It’s always a difficult decision but I think they are clear about that,” Wenger told Standard Sport. “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.”

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Wenger confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan – who is cup-tied against City – will also play tomorrow with Arsenal all but assured of their place in the next round after winning the first leg 3-0 in Sweden last week.

Danny Welbeck will lead the attack despite struggling for form in his previous outing and Wenger said: “He’s getting sharper every day. In the last week he has moved forward and I think the game at Ostersunds has done him good. Since then, I believe that physically he is getting better.”

Mesut Ozil is out with illness but Wenger expects him to recover in time to face City while Aaron Ramsey faces a race to be fit after returning to training this morning following a groin problem.

“We’ll see how Aaron’s evolution goes now from today until Sunday,” added Wenger. “I don’t rule him out yet, it depends on how well he can improve with the intensity of training until Sunday.”

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