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Arsene Wenger says he will stand by stuttering Lukasz Fabianski
James Olley20.04.09
Arsene Wenger has backed stand-in goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to recover from his FA Cup nightmare when Arsenal face Liverpool.
The 24-year-old conceded a goal at his near post and then hastily charged off his line only to be beaten to the ball by Didier Drogba as Chelsea won 2-1 at Wembley.
With an ankle injury sidelining first-choice stopper Manuel Almunia for around another two weeks, Fabianski takes the gloves for a pivotal part of the season — including the trip to Anfield.
The Polish international was crestfallen at the final whistle on Saturday but Gunners boss Wenger said: “I wouldn't like to put too much responsibility for this defeat on Fabianski. It would be unfair. Lets see him recover and not speak too much about what he has done on Saturday.
“I believe he will be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I firmly believe that. He has the talent, he is brave, he is intelligent.
Technically he is very good. He was not at his best on Saturday but we have to accept that. It can happen to anyone.”
Reader views (9)
Eleven v Eleven, If a team win all get plaudits. If a team loses a single person normally takes the blame. Stange old game ain't
- Ebin Donk, angus scotland
Arsenal unlucky should have had a penalty for blatent shove on Fabregas,Chelsea played well against a weakened Arsenal team and Drogba scored a great winner.I still think that on their day Arsenal with a full side out can compete with Man Utd as they have shown earlier this year,and the semi is not a forgone conclusion as a lot of non Arsenal supporters belive,once you are in the final anything can happen.I still think that Fabianski is a good keeper,the makeshift defence didnt help and Wengers team selection was odd,keepers do make mistakes from time to time,he looked solid when he came on against Villareal and will bounce back from this.
- Jim Ex Pat, London N.1, thailand
The boys done bad.
- James Hennessy, london england
In my opinion Fabianski is an exceptional young keeper, as was shown in the Champions League against Villareal. Against Chelsea, he was let down for the first goal by Eboue's woeful challenge & for the second by a defence that had pushed to high up the field & left a large space for the ball to played into for Drogba to pounce on. All in all I felt Chelsea deserved the win & cannot understand our formation nor the exclusion of Arshavin, Song & Nasri. All I can think is that Arsene Wenger was concerned about Villa's challenge for 4th place & had one eye on Tuesday's matche against Liverpool. For the record I would have played the same defence, a midfield of Nasri, Fabregas, Song & ARshavin, with Walcott & Bentner as probable substitutions, if needed.
- Rob Gooner, North London
"Wenger says he will stand by stuttering Lukasz Fabianski" - Good idea. Why not get afew other people to stand by him, then with luck the ball will hit them rather than the back of the net!
- Paul, London
Almunia has had a good season, and Fabianski has played resonably well , yes he did make a couple of mistakes at the weekend , but the person who made the biggest mistakes was Wenger in his team selection, The Defence has not had any decent cover for the past few years, Sylvestre was a joke signing, but for a ll the flack Fabianski has taken, he was playing behind 8 men, RVP and Adebeyor went into hiding again, the best the team has played all season was when Nasri Arshavin and Eduardo played behind Bendtner.
- Rob, London
Sorry Wenger I dont agree , this is no time for sentiments.Arsenal are in a very important stage of the season and another show like that of Saturday and it will rock the whole team .With the important games against MAN United (3 games) Chelsea and Liverpool you cant afford to be sentimental.
Lets be honest ,he made several mistakes, not one ,and at one time Gibbs saved him.
Once again YOU NEED NEW GOOD CENTRAL DEFENDERS.
Silvestre is not good,ask Ferguson otherwise he would not let him go. FREE.
A.Messina,
- A.Messina, Malta
AS AN ARSENAL FAN I THINK FABIANSKI IS A BIG DISASTER, LIKE ALMUNIA IS. IT IS SO DISCOURAGING TO SEE ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE WORLD LOSING IMPORTANT MATCHES, ONLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A HALF-DECENT KEEPER.
REMEMBER HOW ALMUNIA CAME IN THE CL FINAL VS BARCELONA, AND SCORED THEIR SECOND GOAL FOR THEM?!
A PITY; SUCH A GREAT TEAM, AND SUCH TOTALLY BELOW STANDARD KEEPRS.
- Alan, Guildford
RE: Rob the gooners comments a couple of weeks ago,the excellent Fabianski is a top keeper,and having all our stars back will mean a great end to the season....YEAH!!
I suppose he will harp on about how great the training facilities are,(most prem clubs have great training facilities these days),and how the great kids will se them through even though most have no hope of breaking in the squad.. Wenger has put all his eggs into one basket again,and with his defensive woes,they could end up trophyless..AGAIN..They are not near enough of quality to worry Man Utd or Barca over 2 legs.
- Tom, croxley
