Wenger defends Ospina call

David-Opsina-arsenal

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed he was right to start David Opsina in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, insisting the Colombian is a world-class goalkeeper.

The Frenchman made a surprise selection to bring in Ospina for the game in Paris and he had a busy night at the Parc des Princes.

The Gunners, 26.00 to win the Champions League, were not at the races for the majority of the game but they still left France with a 1-1 draw during their first match of the competition this season.

Ospina could do nothing about Edinson Cavan’s first-minute strike but he was on hand to make several saves against the Ligue 1 champions.

He received heavy criticism last season when he was brought in for opening Champions League defeats against Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos but he made amends this time around.

Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez eventually rescued a point for Wenger’s men but the 66-year-old was delighted with Ospina’s contribution.

“I have two world-class goalkeepers,” he told reporters.

“I can give them both games. If they do not play, you can’t keep two world-class goalkeepers.

“We have a rule that the keepers know (when they will play). It’s important to have clear rules like that.

They know what the rules are for the season. If they change, I’ll tell them.

“On what he delivered tonight, he has the right to stay in the team for the next Champions League game.”

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