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Lukasz Fabianski: I'm sorry for causing our FA Cup exit
Andrew Hodgson22 Apr 2009
Lukasz Fabianski today apologised for costing Arsenal a place in the FA Cup Final and admits he has been haunted by his Wembley nightmare.
The goalkeeper endured a torrid time against Chelsea on Saturday — his 24th birthday — and made a succession of mistakes, which culminated in a rash dash out of the penalty area to gift Didier Drogba a late winner.
Nevertheless, manager Arsene Wenger continues to have complete confidence in Fabianski, who has been handed an extended run in the side because of injury to regular No1 Manuel Almunia.
The Pole restored some confidence with a few decent saves during last night's amazing 4-4 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, most notably in the first half.
But Fabianski still felt it necessary to give a frank assessment of his efforts at Wembley.
“After the weekend, I was really feeling down,” he said. “I know that it was mostly because of me that we did not qualify for the FA Cup Final.
“When you are honest and look with honest eyes on that, you can say it. Every day I had been waking up with the game still in my mind, so it was not easy.
“When the season is finished, maybe I will clear it out from my mind. It was a big, big chance to win something this season in the FA Cup.
“I did not help my team like I should have, and I am sorry for that.”
“I want to thank all of my team-mates and the staff, because they were really helping me. I really appreciate that and the atmosphere in the club, which is so fantastic.”
That support has obviously helped. Fabianski looked more solid last night and added: “I was quite happy with my performance against Liverpool, but it is a strange feeling with letting in four goals, I could have been much happier had we won.”
Wenger was certainly happier with his goalkeeper. He said: “Lukasz was fantastic in the first half but struggled a bit more in the second because we were less dominant from crosses. Overall he had a good performance.”
Almunia's ankle problem could keep him out of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford a week today. Before then, Arsenal host relegation-battlers Middlesbrough on Sunday, when Wenger's side will look to extend their 19-match unbeaten Premier League run.
Fabianski added: “We are still optimistic for the last games of the season. We want to be unbeaten in the Premier League.”
Reader views (2)
Quite frankly you cannot put all the blame for the goals against Chelsea down to Fabianski. For the 1st goal Eboue's challenge was woeful & for the 2nd Arsenal's defence had pushed up too high & Drogba got in behind them leaving Fabianski exposed. I could not understand Wenger's formation against Chelsea, if only he had played 4-4-2 with a midfield quartet of Nasri, Fabregas, Song & Arshavin. With Walcott & Bentner coming on with half an hour to go, to terrorise the Chelsea defence. Hopefully Wenger will get it right for the remaining games.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 22/04/2009 15:38
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You have said that you regretted your performance in Semi-Final of the FA cup, please forget it and focus on the next few matches, you’re a great goalkeeper and you’ll get better. You have to remember you part of the Arsenal family and the Arsenal supporter will forgive and forget as your part of the family now.
You have to understand that at the semi-final you has a defence which hadn’t played together on a regular basis, the pitch was difficult and you were faced with an inform team and an excellent centre forward. The goals weren’t all your fault.
Lastly all goalkeepers have bad days, such Wilson, Seamans, Banks, Cech and Reina, what makes them great is their ability to rebound and focus on the next match.
- Surrey Gunner, Guildford, 22/04/2009 14:24
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