Arsenal vs Olympiacos: Arsene Wenger set to stick with David Ospina in Champions League clash

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to stick with David Ospina when the face Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday 29 September, despite the Gunners' opening day defeat at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb. The Colombian stopper lost his place as No 1 following the arrival of Petr Cech in the summer, but Arsene Wenger has guaranteed the player ample playing time, and has decided to use him in the domestinc and European cup competitions.

According to the Mirror, the manager will take the gamble to rest the Czech Republic international despite his vast experience in the Champions League and start the former Nice goalkeeper, who was impressive for the north London club in the second half of last season. Ospina also started and impressed during Arsenal's 1-2 Capital One Cup win over Tottenham on Wednesday 23 September.

However, Wenger, who has promised the Colombian regular appearances in the cup competitions has indicated that he will take a decision ahead of each match and made it clear that is does not guarantee Ospina an automatic starting spot.

"What I just want to say, it was not because I have decided Ospina [always] plays in the Champions League. It will go game by game and there can be a different decision. I need to give him [Ospina] games and I think he is a top-level goalkeeper, but that doesn't mean that he will play," Wenger said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"That's our job; our job is about selection and competing with other players. I think he [Ospina] does that extremely well. I am fortunate to have two keepers of this quality. He is much younger than Petr Cech, he will get games at the top level, don't worry," the Frenchman added.

Meanwhile, Wenger has insisted that his team selection for the game against Olympiacos will not be influenced by Arsenal's upcoming clash against arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday 3 October. But the French manager maintained that the previous two games against Tottenham and Leicester City could have a bearing as to the players who will start the game against the Greek champions.

"The game will not interfere with that at all. It is more the games we played before that could have an influence. Some players had two tough games at Tottenham and at Leicester, where they were a high level physically. I will have to analyse that today and make my decisions," Wenger explained, as quoted on Arsenal's official site.