Wenger: Fabianski could be my new No.1

Arsène Wenger has challenged error-prone Lukasz Fabianski to become Arsenal’s No.1 for keeps.

Fabianski is set to regain his place against West Ham today despite rookie Wojciech Szczesny’s heroics at Newcastle in the Carling Cup.

Arsenal boss Wenger believes Fabianski is justifying his faith despite a string of high-profile errors which left doubts over whether he could ever establish himself in the first team.

But the Pole was superb in last Sunday’s win at Manchester City, is gaining the support of the fans and is now set to keep his place when Manuel Almunia returns to fitness.

Wenger even insisted yesterday he is not in the market for a new keeper.

“We always felt that if he could get a run of games, then he could show how good he is,” said Wenger.

“He always felt he came in and it was for only one game. He felt under pressure to show how good he is in that one game and now he is a bit more relaxed.

“He feels like No.1 at the moment, certainly. Until Almunia is completely fit again, the question will certainly rise in his mind: ‘Will I continue to play or not?’

“But at the moment, certainly, he feels that he will play the next game at least. Even if he doesn’t feel the No.1, he feels that he will play in the next game.

“The confidence problem is a very interesting subject in top-level sport. You feel it goes quickly and comes back slowly.

“The Porto game was very bad for him. The confidence crisis is a bit less once you are an established name.

“If you are an established name and you make a mistake, then it is: ‘you have had a bad day.’ If you come into the team and you make a mistake people say you are not good enough. That’s a massive difference.

“Fabianski is louder than you think he is. In the game, I am quite surprised how much he talks. He is what I call a natural goalkeeper, the rhythm of the game runs through his body.

“He smells what will happen. He is technically very gifted. After that, every goalkeeper progresses and they blossom at 28 until 38.”

Arsenal are in a decent run of form and will be desperate to close the gap on leaders Chelsea this weekend.

But Wenger warned against complacency, reminding fans that West Ham can be as dangerous as West Brom when they won at the Emirates last month.

He said: “West Brom was a lesson learned and it confirms what I told you that if you are not 100 per cent focused, you will drop points against any team in this league.

“In fairness to my team, that is the only game since the start of the season where we didn’t perform well and that is credit to them.”

So if AW thinks so, why didn't he give him a run much much earlier? Also, if he thinks being the number 1 will give him more confidence and less pressure, maybe he should sort it out soon. Be more decisive.

Noted the way Fab sorts out his defence, much better than quiet Manny