Source: Team_Talk
Fabianski determined to prove himself
ukasz Fabianski is determined to prove to Arsenal he can the club's No1 keeper, despite a deal for veteran Mark Schwarzer drawing closer.[LNB] The continued uncertainty over the goalkeeper situation has been an unwelcome distraction for manager Arsene Wenger as he prepared for the start of the new Premier League campaign at Liverpool on Sunday.[LNB]Manuel Almunia, who was between the posts for the 1-1 draw at Anfield, admits he feels undermined by the speculation and would consider his future were the Gunners to bring in experienced, direct competition like Schwarzer.[LNB]Arsenal have already seen a £2million offer for the veteran Australian turned down by Fulham.[LNB]However, the 37-year-old - who missed Saturday's goalless draw at Bolton because of a 'back injury' - is said to be so desperate to push the move through ahead of the September 1 deadline he has handed in a transfer request.[LNB]Wenger, though, is reluctant to spend too much on a player likely to be available for only a couple of seasons, but a fee of around £2.5million could yet see the deal completed - although 23-year-old Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris is another option should Arsenal look to the future, but would require a significant investment of around £18million.[LNB]Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits he would respect Shay Given's decision to leave were the Republic of Ireland stopper, now behind England youngster Joe Hart at Eastlands, to look for first-team football elsewhere, with Emirates Stadium touted as a possible destination.[LNB]Fabianski has stood in for Almunia at all levels since arriving from Legia Warsaw during May 2007.[LNB]Despite a number of high-profile errors - including in the 2009 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on a birthday to forget at Wembley and also in the Champions League away to Porto last season - the young Pole continues to keep the faith of his manager.[LNB]The 25-year-old - harshly nicknamed 'Flappyhandski' by some supporters - is determined to win over the critics.[LNB]"As a player you have to prove you deserve a chance," Fabianski told Arsenal TV Online.[LNB]"I can understand every single shout against me and it can only motivate me to play better and work harder.[LNB]"But of course I am going to do everything in my power to show that I deserve to be respected, then maybe they [the Arsenal fans] will start singing my name - that would be wonderful."[LNB]Of more pressing concern for Wenger, though, would appear to be in the centre of defence ahead of the visit of newly-promoted Blackpool, who produced the result of the opening day with a 4-0 victory at Wigan.[LNB]Summer signing Laurent Koscielny will serve a suspension after his sending off for two late yellow cards at Anfield.[LNB]With Arsenal unlikely to get any of their reported defensive targets - Bosnian captain Emir Spahic, French Under-21 international Yanga-M'Biwa and Bolton's Gary Cahill to name a few - ahead of the weekend, Wenger will be hoping Johan Djourou, just back from a long-term knee injury, makes a quick recovery from his hamstring problem to be fit to face the Tangerines.[LNB]Captain Cesc Fabregas did not feature at Anfield because of sickness, rather than fatigue, having been in action for World Cup winners Spain during the international break, but 18-year-old England midfielder Jack Wilshere could make a second successive Premier League start.[LNB]Robin van Persie came off the bench for the final 15 minutes, but the Holland striker may yet lack full match fitness to be in the XI against Blackpool.[LNB]Despite failing to make the most of Liverpool playing the second half with only 10 men after Joe Cole's red card and needing a last-minute own goal from keeper Pepe Reina to hand them a point, Wenger feels his young side have shown they have the necessary character for a drawn-out title battle.[LNB]"We will fight for it and have shown that again at Liverpool - we have the spirit and we have the attitude, so let's build on that," Wenger told BBC Sport.[LNB]"Do not forget we have consistently been at the top - we do not get enough credit for that.[LNB]"We finished third last season, we want to do better and win the Premier League."
