Youngster Set For Rare Start After Arsenal Suffer Fresh Injury Concern

Arsenal are set to hand third choice keeper Emiliano Martinez a rare start against West Ham with David Ospina struggling with a back injury, according to the Mirror.

Ospina started against Manchester City at the weekend after Petr Cech was ruled out having suffered a calf injury during the defeat to West Bromwich Albion before the last international break.

However, Ospina required lengthy treatment during the 2-2 draw on Sunday after a heavy fall and while he was able to complete the full ninety minutes, the Mirror claim the Colombian international is set to be ruled out of tomorrow’s clash with West Ham.

If true, then it means Arsene Wenger is facing something of an injury crisis in goal as Cech has already been ruled out having failed to recover from his calf injury.

Therefore, third-choice keeper Emi Martinez set to be handed a rare start between the sticks with the 24-year-old set to make his first appearances in the Premier League this season.

Martinez has made just three appearances in the League Cup this campaign against Nottingham Forest, Reading and Southampton but the youngster performanced reasonably well in those games.

Obviously it’s a huge concern to be fielding our third-choice keeper for a must-win game against a dangerous side like West Ham but I’m actually not that worried as Martinez isn’t afraid to come off his line – unlike Ospina.

West Ham’s main threat will come in the air through Andy Carroll and I’d back Martinez to deal with the cross better than Ospina would have.

However, let’s hope Cech is back as soon as possible and Wenger suggested our number one could return to the squad for next Monday’s trip to Crystal Palace.