Can David Ospina Develop into a Top-Class Goalkeeping Option for Arsenal?

On the international stage, David Ospina is already an undisputed star. After a series of impressive performances in last year’s World Cup, he was a key figure in Colombia’s passage to the knockout stage of the Copa America. In the quarter-final defeat against Argentina, Ospina performed miracles to keep the scores tied at 0-0 and force the game into a penalty shootout.

While his status as his country’s No. 1 seems secure, he lacks the same security on the domestic front. Although Ospina edged ahead of Wojciech Szczesny as Arsenal’s No. 1 in the middle of last season, the expected arrival of Petr Cech could be set to force him out of London after just 12 months.

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His performance against Argentina will ensure there are plenty of suitors, but it seems Fenerbahce is the most likely destination. Ospina is quoted by Turkish newspaper Sabah Daily (h/t TalkSport) as saying: "[Fenerbahce] are dealing with my agent. At the moment the only thoughts I have are for Colombia. I will not betray my team."

If Ospina is moved on, he will feel justifiably hard done by. According to Squawka, he kept eight clean sheets in his 18 Premier League appearances. His average of 3.18 saves per goal is significantly superior to the ratio of Wojciech Szczesny, who seems likely to outlast him at Arsenal. Doubts have been raised over his ability in the air, but a claim success of 93 per cent—markedly better than the 71 per cent offered by the incoming Cech—ought to allay those fears.

Which raises the question: Even if Cech does come in, should Arsenal keep faith with Ospina? Could he yet become a top-class goalkeeper for the Gunners?

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There’s certainly still time to make progress. Ospina is 26, and the received wisdom is that goalkeepers tend to hit their prime later in their careers. His adaptation to English football was relatively swift, and he would only improve with more time to acclimatise.

However, there are clearly still areas of concern. Ospina is not as physically imposing as either Szczesny or Cech, and the great goalkeepers of the Premier League have tended to be taller and more comfortable with coming off their line. He also has a nasty habit of palming the ball back into dangerous areas when he ought to turn it around the post or over the bar.

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Perhaps the biggest impediment to Ospina’s long-term future with Arsenal is his own impatience. Ospina is a regular international, and he will not want to lose his place with his country as well as his club. It’s likely that he considers first-team football essential to keeping the No. 1 shirt with Colombia, and that could be a major factor in any decision to move.

Ospina might be able to become a top-class 'keeper for the Gunners, but it seems clear that if Arsene Wenger is to spend time investing in the development of a stopper, he would rather choose the one who has already been with the club for a decade. At 33, Cech will not be around forever. However, it seems Szczesny is set to be anointed as his potential successor with Ospina falling by the wayside.

All stats via Squawka.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2015-16 season. Follow him on Twitter here.