{"id":473128,"date":"2019-07-04T15:25:02","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T19:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=473128"},"modified":"2019-07-04T15:25:02","modified_gmt":"2019-07-04T19:25:02","slug":"arsenal-david-ospina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/07\/04\/arsenal-david-ospina\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal Transfer Update: David Ospina Leaves, Gabriel Martinelli Joins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arsenal<\/a> have confirmed their first two summer transfers. The first is an exciting young player coming in to the club, Gabriel Martinelli. The second is a veteran shot-stopper, David Ospina<\/a>, who is completing a long-awaited transfer away.<\/p>\n

Arsenal Update: David Ospina<\/a> Departs, Martinelli Signs<\/h1>\n

Ospina Joins Napoli<\/h2>\n

Colombian number one David Ospina signed for Arsenal on a free following the 2014 World Cup. Since then, he hasn’t really been able to make the top spot his own.<\/p>\n

While Ospina did supplant Wojciech Szczesny<\/a> that first season, Petr Cech<\/a> and now Bernd Leno<\/a> have relegated him to second choice. That opened the door for a season-long loan to Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli this past season for Ospina.<\/p>\n

Now, Arsenal will say goodbye to David Ospina as he sealed a\u00a0\u20ac3.5 million<\/a> transfer back to Serie A. With him gone and Petr Cech now retired, this leaves the backup goalkeeper position open for grabs in north London.<\/p>\n

Emiliano Martinez<\/a> impressed during his six-month loan at Reading<\/a>, making him the presumed favourite for the role. Meanwhile, Matt Macey<\/a> had a slightly less impressive season with Plymouth Argyle<\/a>, but will likely get a chance to shine in pre-season.<\/p>\n

With Arsenal losing David Ospina, one of those two ‘keepers will likely serve as understudy to Bernd Leno<\/a> next season.<\/p>\n

Martinelli Signs From Ituano<\/h2>\n

Gabriel Martinelli has been linked with a move to Arsenal for months now. With the new Adidas kit deal taking effect on 1 July, the club decided that was the time to announce the deal.<\/p>\n

The Telegraph<\/a> reports the fee as around\u00a0\u00a36 million for the 18-year-old. Martinelli plays as a winger or central striker and was invited to train with the Brazilian national team in the buildup to the Copa America.<\/p>\n

Due to his modest age and inexperience, Gabriel Martinelli is thought to be one for the future. However, with Arsenal lacking in width, he may get a chance to earn a place in the squad during preseason.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>