After weeks of speculation, the Gunners have finally signed Nice goalkeeper David Ospina for a reported £4 million fee.

Long-term acquisition

The Colombian international joins the club as a replacement for departed FA Cup hero Lukasz Fabianski, who transferred to Swansea City at the start of the transfer window.

Tied down to a long-term contract, believed to be five years, Arsène Wenger confirmed that the player caught his eye during the World Cup in Brazil this summer and would add the extra quality needed for the side to compete next season.

“David Ospina is an excellent goalkeeper, with good experience and a proven record of performing with Nice and Colombia.

He will add strength to our squad and we are very pleased that he will be joining us."

Number two…for now

The Frenchman was also keen to emphasise to ESPN that Ospina will not be at Arsenal just to make up numbers for the squad and will challenge Wojciech Szczesny for the number one jersey.

“You know at the start Szczesny will be the number one, then again we'll be down to performances and, if Ospina shows that he is better, he will play."

The 25 year old made 189 appearances for Nice in the league during his six-year stint at the club and is expected to make his Arsenal debut next weekend at the inaugural Emirates Cup.

Experience and competition

David Ospina will bring vast experience, quality and competition to the Arsenal squad and is a very positive addition to the club.

It is important that Szczesny does not get complacent and that the club has a more than adequate replacement for domestic cup competitions and unfortunate injuries.

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