Ospina - The keepers that I admire

David Ospina says it is a “big responsibility” to follow in the footsteps of David Seaman and Jens Lehmann at Arsenal.

The Colombia goalkeeper has kept four successive clean sheets after coming into the first team, and has impressed with a string of calm displays.

Ospina is relishing his chance to play for the club, having admired some of the legendary goalkeepers who have represented Arsenal over the years.

“I always watched the Premier League when I was in Colombia because that was one of the leagues they showed on television,” he told Arsenal Player.

“I see it as a big responsibility to come to a great club like Arsenal - it’s a dream come true. Now it’s my job to make the most of this opportunity that’s come my way, thanks to God and thanks to everyone here at the club.

“In Colombia everyone looks up to Rene Higuita," added Ospina. "Then there were three other goalkeepers that were very important: Faryd Mondragon, Oscar Cordoba and the late Miguel Calero. They were very important to Colombian goalkeeping and achieved great things outside of the country.

“In Europe, I’ve always admired Iker Casillas. There’s Manuel Neuer now, who’s a great goalkeeper, and Buffon. You try to emulate them - they’ve won lots of titles playing for massive teams.

“There are some very good goalkeepers in the Premier League, too. There’s De Gea, Hugo Lloris, Hart - they’re great keepers who’ve proved their worth over the course of many seasons and are continuing to do so now.

“At Arsenal we have very good goalkeepers in the shape of Wojciech Szczesny and Emiliano Martinez. The Premier League has always had top-quality goalkeepers.”