Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has insisted that he has no sympathy towards understudy David Ospina because he is 'not his friend'.

Ospina has yet to play for the Gunners since arriving from Nice in the summer, with Szczesny retaining the number-one jersey that he previously held ahead of Lukasz Fabianksi, who left to join Swansea City in May.

Szczesny has admitted that it was sometimes difficult to watch his Polish compatriot have to settle for being his deputy, but has admitted that he does not have the same bond with Ospina and intends for the Colombian to remain on the bench for a long time to come.

He told Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy: "I feel confident of being number one, but I know I can't let myself play a few bad games.

"I know Ospina's ambitions don't end at sitting on the bench and clapping his hands while watching me play.

"He is a nice guy. In a sporting sense, he is a suitable player at a suitable club. But it's easier for me just in one aspect - I do not feel sorry for him. I do not think 'he's my friend' as I thought about Fabian. I was convinced Lukasz deserved to play, but not at my expense."

Szczesny won last season's Premier League Golden Glove award, but has yet to keep a clean sheet this term.