FA Cup semi-finals: Lukasz Fabianski will start in goal for Arsenal against Wigan

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms he will maintain policy of using second-choice keeper in domestic competitions

Glenn Moore
Monday 10 March 2014 02:00 GMT
Comments
Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski celebrates after the FA Cup quarter-final match between Arsenal and Everton on Saturday
Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski celebrates after the FA Cup quarter-final match between Arsenal and Everton on Saturday

Arsenal’s FA Cup semi-final next month will offer Lukasz Fabianski the chance to exorcise the demons that have haunted him for five years.

It will be Arsenal’s first semi-final since the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in 2009 in which that Fabianski made the mistakes which seemed to knock his confidence so badly he never fully recovered.

In that match Fabianski was beaten at the near post by Florent Malouda, then rushed from his line to hand Didier Drogba Chelsea’s winner. Later in the season he was quoted: “I know that it was mostly because of me that we did not qualify for the FA Cup final. Every day I have 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.”

That season he played 18 matches for Arsenal. In the seasons since he has played ten, 20, six, five and, so far this season, seven. In that time he has seen Wojiech Szczesny overtake him for club and country.

Arsene Wenger confirmed that Fabianski wil play in the semi-final maintaining his policy of fielding the No.2 ‘keeper in domestic cup ties. He would not, however, be drawn on who would play should Arsenal reach the final. If Fabianski played it would probably be his last match for the Gunners as, out of contract at the end of the season and 29 next month, he is expected to leave Arsenal to seek regular football elsewhere.

Wenger, however, insisted that his departure was not certain yet.

With Szczesny suspended following his first-leg dismissal Fabianski will continue in goal against Bayern Munichon Tuesday.

“For him it is another opportunity to play, and I am not worried for him,” said Wenger. “He will take heart from [beating Everton].”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in