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Why has this 33-year-old Arsenal man not been restored to their line-up?
Arsenal faced West Ham last weekend in a crucial top four fixture at Upton Park. This was the kind of match which would provide a stern test for Arsenal, yet when the team sheet came out a key player was missing from the line-up. After returning from his calf injury, Cech was now being left out of the side as David Ospina retained his place in goal. This move had some logic as Ospina has been on a relatively good run of form, but on the other hand it’s a very puzzling move from their long-serving manager Arsene Wenger.
This was a crucial game and anything other than a victory would eliminate the very faint hopes of Arsenal winning the title this season. A key player such as Cech is available, yet has to sit on the bench. Therefore, why was Wenger not playing his strongest team in a crucial Premier League fixture? This is the question that will have pundits bemused and fans believing Wenger really is out of touch with the modern game in 2016.
It seems that Wenger clearly has a lot of faith in Ospina, and with at the end of the season, maybe he wants to persuade him to stay. It is logical that Wenger would want to keep Ospina around, as he’s proved himself a good goal keeper and has cemented himself as a competent number two keeper at the club. It’s clear however that he could be playing first team football outside of the club, and with his standing as a national team goalkeeper the number of appearances at Arsenal will not be enough to satisfy him.
This is not the issue that will upset fans. The issue that supporters will have with Wenger is that the Frenchman chose to demonstrate the worth Ospina has to the club in a vital game. This is something Wenger could talk with Ospina about at any point between now and the summer transfer window, so why did he choose to do it in such an exuberant manner. He left a player of Cech’s talent on the bench, and this is not something that is a logical move. He has been a very valuable member of the first team this season, and does not deserve to be warming the bench at any club.
With such an important game, it was not the time for placating a player, and by not playing the strongest level this could have affected the game for Arsenal. In the end, a 3-3 draw did neither side any favours, although by no means was Ospina at fault for any of the goals. Now, Arsenal look set for a predictable third-placed finish as the fans look back on another season that capitulated in the gritty fixtures of February and March. It has become a worrying trend and the fans are increasingly turning on Wenger as the man responsible. Everyone will now be eagerly anticipating his team sheet for this weekend’s fixture against Crystal Palace, to see if he retains Ospina or puts Cech back into the first team. It will be very interesting who he chooses, as it could lead to a backlash from the fans.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Stuart MacFarlane