Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has gone on to question Arsene Wenger’s policy of using David Ospina as the main goalkeeper during Champions League matches.

Petr Cech is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment and the veteran has proven to be crucial to Arsenal’s fine start to the current campaign.

If indeed the Gunners are to go all the way this season, Cech is sure to play a huge role and the presence of such a quality custodian most certainly boost the North London side’s chances of claiming the Premier League title which has proven to be elusive for the past decade or so.

In addition to Cech, Arsenal possess another top quality goalkeeper in the form of David Ospina and manager Arsene Wenger has been using the Colombian international in the Champions League during the current campaign.

It has to be said that Ospina has acquitted himself well in Europe and he has made a crucial contribution in helping the Gunners’ safely seal their place in the knockout rounds of the competition with a game to spare.

However, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand does not seem to be too impressed with Wenger’s decision to hand Ospina the reins in goal during the Champions League and has explained that Arsenal would be better off sticking with Cech for the European matches as well.

Ferdinand wrote in his column for the London Evening Standard, “David Ospina is expected to start in goal for Arsenal again in the Champions League at Basle tonight and I just don’t understand it.

“Ospina is clearly a good keeper and one that manager Arsene Wenger rates highly but Petr Cech is the No1 at the club and should have been playing in the group games. Instead, he has sat out every single one so far, while Ospina has stood between the posts. There are many reasons why I don’t agree with this policy.

“For starters, Wenger signed a new centre-half in Shkodran Mustafi in the summer and this is a key period of the season for the defence and keeper to work on their understanding.  The relationship between the goalkeeper and the two centre-halves is one of the most important on a football pitch.

The more time Cech plays with Laurent Koscielny and Mustafi, the better it is for all of them. They have still qualified for the last 16, so Wenger will be happy about that but could they be ahead of PSG in the group rather than behind if Cech had been in goal up until now? It is a possibility.

“Arsenal have come unstuck in the past for finishing second in the group and Ospina has made a few mistakes. Petr has been an unbelievable signing for Arsenal. He is experienced and knows how to win trophies. He is a calming influence in that backline and they look a lot better when he is in it.”

While Ferdinand may have a point to a certain extent, Wenger will need to keep Ospina happy by providing him minutes on the pitch and given the 28-year-old’s quality, there is no reason why Arsenal will not be able to succeed in Europe with their number two manning the posts.