Arsene Wenger praises goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski
Arsenal’s goalkeeper conundrum had threatened to derail their Champions League and Premier League campaigns, but Lukasz Fabianski’s performance in last night’s 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade provided a shining ray of light at the end of the tunnel.
The 25-year-old Poland international has endured a difficult time since joining the Premier League side in 2007, making several high-profile errors and earning himself a series of particularly harsh nicknames from some Arsenal supporters.
However, Fabianski deputised for the injured Manuel Almunia, who is currently going through a rough patch, last night and didn’t disappoint.
The Pole saved a second-half penalty and then denied Partizan’s Ivica Iliev with a superb stoppage time save to ensure Arsenal left Serbia with all three points in the bag.
Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager who had vehemently defended his under-fire goalkeeper, was delighted with his display.
"Fabianski had a good game, we have seen the player tonight who we see in training. He had a faultless game," the Arsenal manager said.
"I know it is in him. He got it out in the game tonight and hopefully that will give him the belief and confidence he needs."
Wenger added: "I am confident he will come out as a great keeper, I have always said that.
"We have to keep confidence in him and he needs to gain experience from games like this."
With Premier League champions Chelsea up next in the league, the Arsenal boss will need to decide whether to stick with Fabianski for the Gunners’ biggest game of the season so far, or recall the out-of-form Almunia.
After last night’s Champions League victory, Wenger refused to be drawn into the debate. However, it seems likely that Fabianski will receive the nod ahead of his Spanish teammate.
Although there will be many Arsenal fans still unconvinced about the Pole’s credentials, last night’s impressive display was an indicator that perhaps Wenger was right about Fabianski after all.
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