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Some Arsenal fans react as Thomas Vermaelen and David Ospina fail to stop rivals’ European march
Tottenham and Liverpool will be joining the Manchester clubs in the Champions League last 16 draw. Facing uphill battles to make it through, both managed to pull off what was necessary. Tottenham drew 1-1 with Barcelona in the Nou Camp, whilst Liverpool claimed a 1-0 win against Napoli at Anfield.
In both games, there was interest from Arsenal fans.
Because two former players were being tasked with the job of stopping their one-time Premier League rivals.
Against Tottenham, former Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen was hoping to shut-out Harry Kane and co. Meanwhile, at Anfield, Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina was in goal for the Italian side.
Arsenal, who are looking like one of the favourites in the Europa League, would have loved to see Vermaelen help Spurs on their way out the competition.
However, Lucas Moura, a man sold by Arsenal boss Unai Emery, eventually broke the stubborn resistance and Spurs are now through:
Our old players are always so whack at other clubs. Vermaelen looks absolute pony tonight. Never buy from Arsenal! ?
— Elvis (@EJPSarriesAFC)
Vermaelen could not have defended that whole situation worse. Pretty impressive really.
— Neil Brooks (@NeilBrooksAFC)
Vermaelen is still terrible.
— MJ (@mj_afc)
Arsenal Wenger: “Lets sell Vermaelen to Barca because in a few years time, he will be in tge team to knock out Spurs in the UCL”
— Daniel McGlone (@DanielJMcGlone)
Jesus!! Imagine this Tottenham get knocked out by a Thomas Vermaelen Goal ?? ?⚪️
— Lester Barrow (@Lester_Arsenal4)
Meanwhile, at Anfield, Ospina did make a couple of good saves. That said, he also seemed to dive away from the ball as if radioactive for Salah’s winning goal. It was a typically inconsistent display from Ospina that Arsenal fans were used to. It is the reason why Arsene Wenger brought in Petr Cech in 2015 and why Ospina was loaned to Napoli after Bernd Leno’s North London arrival:
Thank God Ospina isn’t our problem anymore shouldn’t be scored at your near post from that angle.
Liverpool were immense & should have scored more.
Alisson’s save in extra time ? that’s why you spend so much on such a player
— Afas Nkemakonam. (@Alcapone247)
How are Liverpool and Tottenham both through? Napoli were horrendous and have the dreadful Ospina in goal, and Inter Milan bottled it as well!
— Mike (@afc4life_uk)
Forgot what it was like to watch David Ospina flapping about like an injured seagulls.
— AFC Mark (@afcmark1)
Ospina showing exactly why Leno is Arsenal #1 and not him
— Irshad AFC (@IrshadAFC7)
Ospina gonna Ospina ??♂️ So glad we got rid of him
— Elvis (@EJPSarriesAFC)
So glad we sold Ospina
— Josh (@AfcJosh_)
Ospina is so bad
— ?? (@GusAFC17)
Arsenal fans will just be glad this level of mediocrity is no longer at the club. The Gunners are performing brilliantly under Emery this season and face Qarabag on Thursday safe in the knowledge they have already qualified as group winners in the Europa League.