Source: Team_Talk
Fabianski ready for Bridge battle
ukasz Fabianski claims he is "ready for Chelsea" after a fine display for Arsenal in their Champions League battle against Partizan Belgrade.[LNB] The 25-year-old - who had been nicknamed 'Flappyhandski' by some Gunners fans following a string of blunders - repaid the faith of manager Arsene Wenger with two late saves, one from a penalty, as Arsenal maintained their 100% start to Champions League Group H with a hard-earned 3-1 victory in Serbia.[LNB]It was the team's first European away win for more than a year and Fabianski could be set to keep his place in goal this weekend.[LNB]Regular number one Manuel Almunia, himself under the spotlight after a below-par display in the shock home Premier League defeat to West Brom last weekend, is again doubtful for Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge because of an elbow injury.[LNB]Fabianski has been behind Almunia in the Arsenal ranks since arriving from Legia Warsaw during May 2007.[LNB]Yet 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, away to Porto in the Champions League knock-out stage, and last week when allowing Robbie Keane's shot to squirm under his arms in the Carling Cup win at arch-rivals Tottenham - Wenger always backed the young Pole.[LNB]Indeed, the Gunners boss wore a broad smile after claiming the real Fabianski finally showed up at Stadion FK Partisan.[LNB]Fabianski, though, remains focused on the job at hand.[LNB]"Overall, I am pleased with my performance," said the Pole, who also had to deal with a summer of speculation as Arsenal looked to bring in veteran Australian Mark Schwarzer from Fulham.[LNB]"I am not talking about just saves, but reading the game, coming for crosses or playing with my feet.[LNB]"Every aspect of goalkeeping is important for me, so I am pleased with my performance in general."[LNB]Fabianski declared: "I am ready to play against Chelsea. I was always ready, so we will see.[LNB]"I was never really bothered by all the things said. I was always trying to focus on my job and my work.[LNB]"That is what I was always doing and that why I am grounded."[LNB]There could have been a tense finale against 10-man Partizan had Fabianski not kept out a late penalty from Cleo, who had earlier stroked a spot-kick past the Pole to level 12 minutes before half-time.[LNB]The Arsenal goalkeeper also denied substitute Ivica Iliev with what was arguably a more impressive save in stoppage time.[LNB]Fabianski celebrated wildly in front of the 1,000 travelling Arsenal supporters behind his goal after diving full stretch to push the penalty around the right-hand post.[LNB]It was a significant moment in both the tie and perhaps Fabianski's Arsenal career.[LNB]"We could not be sure what would happen if it went 3-2," he reflected.[LNB]"There were four minutes left and they could just throw all their players up front and do everything possible to score a goal, but luckily I saved the penalty and the game was easier to finish."[LNB]The challenges, though, continue to come thick and fast for Wenger's young side.[LNB]Before the short journey to Chelsea, Arsenal will check on the fitness of captain Cesc Fabregas, who is struggling to shake off a hamstring problem, as well as centre-half Thomas Vermaelen, out since the international break with an Achilles injury.[LNB]The Blues also lost last weekend, at Manchester City, and Fabianski feels Arsenal can travel across to west London with renewed confidence.[LNB]"We are playing really well this season," he said.[LNB]"The beginning was really good for us. There was a big shock on Saturday when we lost, but I think you could see against Partizan that we had learned some things from Saturday.[LNB]"The performance was much better so we are looking forward to the Chelsea game.[LNB]"It is going to be an exciting one to watch, and we are in good condition."
