Cech ‘devastated’ as Wenger opts for Ospina in final

Ian Watson

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech is said to be “devastated” at the prospect of being benched for the FA Cup final.

Numerous reports in Saturday morning’s papers suggest Arsene Wenger has taken the decision to play No.2 David Ospina against Chelsea, despite Cech being fit to line up against his former side.

Cech is said to have had a knock in the build up to this afternoon’s final and though the Czech stopper has recovered, he will have to make do with a place among the substitutes.

Ospina’s selection is a curious one, given Wenger is already having to field a makeshift defence. Shkodran Mustafi is not expected to be fit after suffering concussion in the Premier League win over Sunderland, while Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista are both suspended.

Their absences mean Per Mertesacker is set to come in for his first start in 13 months, with the German admitting that he has never played in a back three.

Wenger has played his No.2 goalkeeper in FA Cup finals, with Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny featuring in the 2014 and 2015 victories. But Cech was selected for the semi-final win over Man City and was widely expected to face Premier League champions Chelsea. Colombian Ospina is also said to be in advanced talks over a £5million move to Fenerbahce.