There are Arsenal links to the finals of the European Championships and the Copa America, and a lot of these are through the goalkeeping department.
Arsenal stars Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya will make history as the first pair of goalkeepers from the same club to oppose each other in an International final as England take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Neither goalkeeper is expected to start though, and it is a similar story for one former Arsenal shot-stopper, who left at the same time as Arsene Wenger in 2018.
Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina spent four years at Arsenal, but despite enjoying some runs in the side, he never established himself as the first choice before then joining Napoli.
His side beat Uruguay to reach the final of the Copa America in Miami, where his side will come up against Argentina, and a very familiar face for Ospina.
Former Arsenal goalkeepers David Ospina and Emiliano Martinez to face each other in Copa America final
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is a very familiar face at Arsenal, having excelled since his departure under Mikel Arteta in 2020.
Martinez never established himself at Arsenal until his final few months at the club, when an injury to Bernd Leno handed him the opportunity to help win the FA Cup.
The 31-year-old has since evolved into an outstanding shot-stopper, helping Argentina beat Ecuador on penalties to help reach the final, a far cry from Martinez’s disastrous shootout display in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool in 2019.
Ospina and Martinez were both competing for the Arsenal goalkeeper spot in 2014-15, and their countries will now face off in the Copa America final, although Ospina is not expected to start.
Emi Martinez failed to usurp David Ospina in Arsenal pecking order
The 2014-15 season was Ospina’s first at the club, but he suffered from injuries in his first few months.
Wenger’s first choice Wojciech Szczesny also suffered from form and injury issues, and this actually handed Martinez a chance to shine.
The Argentinian failed to impress, with a 3-2 defeat at Stoke City a low point, and Szczesny eventually returned to reclaim his place.
The Poland star then fell out with Wenger, and was dropped for the rest of the season. Ospina started in the Premier League, and whilst a decent shot-stopper at times, he left a lot to be desired with his feet and in the air.
Martinez joined Rotherham United on an emergency loan in March 2015, whilst Ospina enjoyed an extended run, but neither would convince Wenger that they were the solution to his goalkeeping problem.
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