Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsene Wenger has full confidence in Arsenal benchwarmer ahead of Tottenham derby
ARSENAL could be without goalkeeper Petr Cech for up to a month - but Arsene Wenger has backed deputy David Ospina to step up to the plate in his absence.
Arsene Wenger backs David Ospina to shine in Petr Cech's absence
Cech suffered a calf injury in the last minute of his side's 2-1 home defeat to Swansea on Wednesday, a result which leaves the Gunners six points behind leaders Leicester.
The injury couldn't have come at a worse time for Arsenal, with the north London derby and title-clash at second-place Tottenham tomorrow (12:45pm).
Ospina will also stand in for Cech in the FA Cup replay at Hull and the Champions League tie in Barcelona, as well as league games against Everton and Watford.
The Colombian came in for criticism after a big mistake in the defeat to Olympiakos earlier this season but Wenger has backed his man to prove his worth.
Tottenham v Arsenal - Match preview
Petr Cech picked up a calf injury against Swansea
"I have complete confidence in David and I'm not worried at all on that front," said the Frenchman, who will take charge of his 48th north London derby tomorrow.
Wenger also has to deal without centre-half Laurent Koscielny, who is expected to be missing for a week with a calf complaint of his own.
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?