Arsene Wenger says David Ospina can regain Arsenal number one ahead of Chelsea legend Petr Cech

Follow today's transfer news live as it happens here

Arsene Wenger has claimed that David Ospina is "ready" to fight for the Arsenal number one role with summer signing Petr Cech. The French manager assures that the Colombian international will have playing time during the season while not ruling out the possibility of him beating the former Chelsea keeper for the starting role.

Ospina moved to the Emirates Stadium last summer from Ligue 1 side Nice for around £3m ($4.6m) after an impressive World Cup with Colombia. And despite an injury earlier in the season hampered his adaptation he excelled during the second part of the campaign after becoming Wenger's first choice since Wojciech Szczesny reportedly smoked in the showers following the New Year's Day loss at Southampton.

The 27-year-old international indeed secured eight clean sheets in 18 Premier League appearances. Despite Szczesny's loan to Rome, his role at the Gunners has been under scrutiny since Wenger secured the services of Cech from the club London rivals in a deal that, according to BBC, was worth £10m.

Ospina has indeed since failed to make any single appearance for the Gunners, with the former Chelsea legend starting in the first four Premier League games of the campaign and as well the Community Shield final. Cech had a struggling home debut against West Ham but had since managed to secure two clean sheets against both Liverpool and Newcastle – being even chosen man-of-the-match against the Merseysiders.

Wenger, however, has claimed that Ospina can still regain his number one role this season. The Frenchman hails his reaction to the arrival of Cech while suggesting the Colombian will have his opportunities during the season – amid a potential rotation between the sticks for the FA Cup and the League Cup.

"He's responded very well," the boss told Arsenal Player. "David Ospina is a very strong man and a fantastic goalkeeper. He's ready for the fight and will give Petr Cech a hard time. There will be enough room for him to play games as well, maybe sometimes to come in during the season. "Why shouldn't he be able to win his No 1 shirt back? That's the target for him and I'm convinced he will fight for that."