2013 Expiring contracts: Lukasz Fabianski [Part 5]

With five Arsenal first teamers in their final 12 months of their contracts, we here at allArsenal.com are having a look at the players on the list and the status of their negotiations or lack there of. Last but not least is Lukasz Fabianski.

Arsenal Fact File:

Name: Lukasz Fabianski

Born: April 18, 1985 Kostrzyn Nad Odra, Poland

Position: Goalkeeper

Previous Club(s): Lech Poznan, Legia Warsaw

Joined Arsenal: May 26, 2007

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Total Appearances: 60+2

2013 Expiring contracts: Lukasz Fabianski [Part 5]

The Poland International has never really managed a decent stint in goal at the Emirates since joining the Club in 2007. Firstly Manuel Almunia was preferred as the Club number one, he suffered continuous injuries and to put the cherry on top compatriot Szczesny stole the show last season.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing when he did a chance to play either as collected the name ‘Flappy Handski’ for his high profile mistakes against the likes of Porto, Wigan and Blackburn during the 2009/10 season. However he managed to produce more admirable performances in the following campaign leading Wenger to suggest Fabianski could well be the clubs new Number One. However he suffered another injury, this time to his shoulder, and never featured again for the 2010/11 season.

Then came the time of the Sczcz. Unfortunately for Lukasz, his compatriot and understudy Szczesny featured at the tail end of the 2010/11 season in the absence of Fabianksi and he never looked back. The youngster took over as Wenger’s first choice goalkeeper last season and ‘Flappy Handski’ barely got a look in.

The rivalry between the Polish duo continued at International level as Szczesny pushed his way up the pecking order, and injury set in once again as a knee injury ruled Lukasz out of the Euro 2012 tournament and the beginning of this season, leaving Mannone to fill the void during Szcz’s own injury woes.

Wenger recently revealed Fabianski’s latest setback will rule him out for around three months after the goalkeeper ruptured his ankle ligaments in training, so there is a big question as to whether he has played his final match for the Gunners.

There has been little talk of his contractual situation in the media, the main points to consider are his past comments where he revealed last season that if he didn’t manage to secure gametime for the Gunners then he would move on. But due to his injury woes over the summer and suggestions from Wenger and Szczesny himself that he would have a real chance to fight for the number one jersey this season, he remained at the club for the coming season..however injury has once again has hampered his opportunities for club and country.

allArsenal verdict:

Fabianski has often been a solid option for a backup goalkeeper, and his ability and confidence has greatly improved over the past few years. Although it would be a shame to see the goalkeeper leave after a decent stint here, his contract ends at the end of this season and if he fails to sign a new deal then he will then leave for free which is not very Wenger-friendly.

He will have other clubs interested as he has the ability to be a fantastic goalkeeper and deserves to be a number one, but unfortunately it won’t be with Arsenal. The Gunners should look to offload him in January to get some money for him as he is unlikely to play a major part in the remainder of the season. Mannone has established himself as Szczesny’s backup and youngster Damien Martinez is pushing hard to enter the first team fray.

The most ideal situation for the Gunners would be to sell Fabianski and then buy an experienced goalkeeper to compliment Szczesny and Mannone, however there aren’t too many available come January. Or else if the Polish international is keen to sign a new deal (which seems unlikely) then we can have no complaints!

What are your thoughts on Fabianski? Do you think he should be rewarded a new contract and if so will he sign? Or should Wenger just sell him off in January and look for someone more experienced to compete with Szcz and Mannone? Feel free to comment below or in allArsenal’s forum.