Lukasz Fabianski has vowed to keep fighting to win back his spot as Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper from Wojciech Szczesny.
The Polish international replaced his compatriot as Gunners first choice keeper towards the end of last season but Szczesny has returned to start every game for the Gunners so far this term.
The 28-year-old is now determined to prove his worth to the Arsenal boss and win back his first-team spot this term.
Speaking to Arsenal official website, he said:
I was at my best physically, and mentally as well. I felt really confident, and still do.
I put in a lot of work and changed my whole training schedule. I took care of my body in a totally different way and that helped me a lot you could see that.
I helped the team come back to a strong position and compete for a Champions League spot. Based on that, I don’t want to give up I want to keep fighting for my place.
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It was frustrating [to get injured again]. It was not the first time it has happened to me that I’m getting a good run of games and then I lose my place through injury not because of the fact I was bad. That is really frustrating for me. I want to get that place back.
Fabianski will be competing with compatriot Wojciech Szczesny and new signing Emiliano Viviano for a starting place, and says this season will be vital for him. He added:
It’s massive for me personally because I am getting older and I really want to play on a regular basis. I want to be the No 1 keeper, that is my aim for the season.
I want more games, I have been competing for a few years now to get that No 1 spot. I’m not going to lie, I really want it.
When Fabianski arrived in 2007 from Legia Warszawa, he came with a great reputation. However, his performances at Arsenal were never exactly up to par, as he conceded soft goals and then lost out many times due to injury. His return to the first team last season was criticized by many fans and the decision to name him as starting goalkeeper against Bayern had almost everyone shaking their heads.
However his performances from that point were nothing short of spectacular, and it showed that Fabianski had grown and improved by leaps and bounds. He was once again sidelined due to a rib injury, but has made his return to the team this season, and if he can regain the form that he displayed last term, Szczesny will have a fight on his hands to retain his spot.
It won’t be an easy job for Fabianski to break into the Gunners starting line up as he has to compete with an in form goal keeper in the form of Szczesny and new recruit Viviano. For all his promising short stint last season, it’s hard to see Arsenal offering Fabianski a contract extension and it’s likely that he will leave next summer.
He seems determined to play regularly at all costs and that will stand him in good stead for the season ahead. What do you say Gunners?
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