Stefan Ortega impressed between the sticks in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Arsenal on Friday, vindicating Pep Guardiola’s faith after his error-strewn performance in the Sky Blues’ EFL Cup defeat to Southampton.
Vital Man City predicted the 30-year-old would return to the starting eleven against Arsenal even after the mistake, as Ortega had been a solid stopper up until January.
He tipped a fierce volley from Takehiro Tomiyasu that was headed for goal and saved well from close-range when Leandro Trossard struck an effort from inside the area.
Against Arsenal, Ortega was given a player rating of 8/10 by Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News who said the uncapped German goalkeeper was ‘excellent’. Jamie Spencer of 90min said Ortega was ‘solid’.
The 30-year-old has made seven appearances in all competitions for City this season, conceding five goals (0.71 per game) with four clean sheets (57%). Ortega has yet to make a Premier League appearance as he’s playing second fiddle to Ederson, but he’s considered one of the best No.2s in the top-flight.
Considering City signed Ortega on a free transfer months ago, he’s been a brilliant bargain acquisition.
In other news, Nathan Ake shone v Arsenal
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