Last season Arsenal's title challenge collapsed due to injuries and horrendous goalkeeping on the part of Arsenal's top 2 goalkeepers, Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski. So during the summer there was a huge call for Arsene Wenger to buy a new goalkeeper. Despite this Wenger chose to stick with his current crop of keepers and persisted with Almunia and Fabianski for another season. Arsenal fans expected the worst and there was a sense of impending doom heading into the season with the same set of keepers.
After the first 5 matches of the season, Almunia seemed to be justifying Wenger's decision as he put in solid performances and looked confident. But he reverted back to old ways in a horrid performance against West Brom as Arsenal suffered a shock 3-2 defeat. Almunia was to blame for 2 goals scored by West Brom. In that very same match Almunia picked up a mysterious elbow injury that has sidelined him till date. During his absence, Wenger promoted Fabianski as Arsenal's No1. For Arsenal fans this was nightmare as images of "Flappyhandski" dropping crosses and letting in goal after goal came into mind. Fabianski's first match was a 3-1 win over Partizan Belgrade. In that match, Fabianski showed glimpses of his potential as he put in a solid performance that involved a saved penalty.
His first league start was against then table toppers, Chelsea. Arsenal would lose that match 2-0 but Fabianski put in a solid and assured performance as he saved several shots. Since then Fabianski has gone from strength to strength and has put in several assured and solid displays. This season Fabianski has proved that when showed faith in and when his confidence is high, he is capable of becoming a world class keeper.
Fabianski's handling has been confident and he has dealt with crosses in an assured and confident manner. Even against physically intimidating sides like Birmingham, Fabianski has looked at ease and has been calm and composed in his handling. His dealing with the aerial threat and crosses has been impressive. His distribution and punching too seems to have improved greatly. He is no longer tentative while dealing with the aerial threat and has a strong and powerful punch to back it up too. Even the Arsenal defense seems to have confidence in the Pole.
For the past couple of seasons it has become a regular fixture for Arsenal to lose games and throw away games due to costly errors from their goalkeepers. But this season, Fabianski has saved Arsenal atleast 5 points. He was mammoth in the games against Wolves, Manchester City, Everton and Fulham. In the game against Wolves he repeatedly repelled many attacks and single handedly kept Arsenal in the match and it was his presence of mind that helped Arsenal score the decisive second against a resolute Wolves side. Even in games against Fulham and Everton he made several smart saves to preserve Arsenal's lead and has helped them to victory on numerous occasions.
Having a solid keeper at the back can do a world of good for the defense as well. They play better and are more assured if they have the backing of a strong keeper. Fabianski's only mistake has come against Newcastle but that too wasn't entirely his fault.
Despite his good showing, several people including Arsenal fans still continue to criticise him and several people are still calling for Wenger to buy a new keeper. Fabianski may not be perfect, but as his recent performances have shown when the faith is bestowed on him he is more than capable of rising to the occasion and delivering the goods. Despite his strong outings doubts remain in the minds of certain people taking into consideration his performances of last season. But this season he has been consistent and all the criticism is totally uncalled for right now. Like Gomes proved at Tottenham, keepers may have a few poor seasons but if given the backing can shine and perform at the top level.
I am still baffled why fans are still calling for his removal. After all he hasn't cost us any games. Its time for Arsenal fans to realise the value and potential of the Pole.
He has proved that he is capable of becoming a world class keeper and his recent performances are more than enough to silence his critics.
After the first 5 matches of the season, Almunia seemed to be justifying Wenger's decision as he put in solid performances and looked confident. But he reverted back to old ways in a horrid performance against West Brom as Arsenal suffered a shock 3-2 defeat. Almunia was to blame for 2 goals scored by West Brom. In that very same match Almunia picked up a mysterious elbow injury that has sidelined him till date. During his absence, Wenger promoted Fabianski as Arsenal's No1. For Arsenal fans this was nightmare as images of "Flappyhandski" dropping crosses and letting in goal after goal came into mind. Fabianski's first match was a 3-1 win over Partizan Belgrade. In that match, Fabianski showed glimpses of his potential as he put in a solid performance that involved a saved penalty.
His first league start was against then table toppers, Chelsea. Arsenal would lose that match 2-0 but Fabianski put in a solid and assured performance as he saved several shots. Since then Fabianski has gone from strength to strength and has put in several assured and solid displays. This season Fabianski has proved that when showed faith in and when his confidence is high, he is capable of becoming a world class keeper.
Fabianski's handling has been confident and he has dealt with crosses in an assured and confident manner. Even against physically intimidating sides like Birmingham, Fabianski has looked at ease and has been calm and composed in his handling. His dealing with the aerial threat and crosses has been impressive. His distribution and punching too seems to have improved greatly. He is no longer tentative while dealing with the aerial threat and has a strong and powerful punch to back it up too. Even the Arsenal defense seems to have confidence in the Pole.
For the past couple of seasons it has become a regular fixture for Arsenal to lose games and throw away games due to costly errors from their goalkeepers. But this season, Fabianski has saved Arsenal atleast 5 points. He was mammoth in the games against Wolves, Manchester City, Everton and Fulham. In the game against Wolves he repeatedly repelled many attacks and single handedly kept Arsenal in the match and it was his presence of mind that helped Arsenal score the decisive second against a resolute Wolves side. Even in games against Fulham and Everton he made several smart saves to preserve Arsenal's lead and has helped them to victory on numerous occasions.
Having a solid keeper at the back can do a world of good for the defense as well. They play better and are more assured if they have the backing of a strong keeper. Fabianski's only mistake has come against Newcastle but that too wasn't entirely his fault.
Despite his good showing, several people including Arsenal fans still continue to criticise him and several people are still calling for Wenger to buy a new keeper. Fabianski may not be perfect, but as his recent performances have shown when the faith is bestowed on him he is more than capable of rising to the occasion and delivering the goods. Despite his strong outings doubts remain in the minds of certain people taking into consideration his performances of last season. But this season he has been consistent and all the criticism is totally uncalled for right now. Like Gomes proved at Tottenham, keepers may have a few poor seasons but if given the backing can shine and perform at the top level.
I am still baffled why fans are still calling for his removal. After all he hasn't cost us any games. Its time for Arsenal fans to realise the value and potential of the Pole.
He has proved that he is capable of becoming a world class keeper and his recent performances are more than enough to silence his critics.
Good article.
ReplyDeleteI think there are a lot of Arsenal supporters just waiting for Fabianski to screw up so they can a. tell everyone they told us so and b. have an excuse to continue to use the "Flappyhandski" moniker.
Did anyone see the goal Bolton scored against Liverpool yesterday (1/1/2011)? If the identical goal had been scored against Arsenal, then everyone would have been asking why the keeper didn't come for the ball. Sometimes you have to stay on your line and sometimes you are beaten. It's not as if Reina is a poor goalkeeper.