Monday Apr 28 2008 10:32
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Lukasz Fabianski to have a solid game in Monday's Premier League clash against Derby County.
The 23-year-old Polish goalkeeper is set to be handed a rare Gunners start, his first since playing in the 5-1 Carling Cup defeat to Tottenham in January.
Wenger said of that game: "It had a big effect on him. Lukasz is an intelligent and sensitive boy and sometimes these two qualities go against you.
"But he's got over it. It's a learning process of every top-level player goes through. For me a career is always how well you deal with the lows in the game."
Meanwhile, Wenger cannot understand why Gael Clichy is not a regular in the France side.
The 22-year-old left-back is enjoying a magnificent season at the Emirates Stadium but is still to win his first cap.
"I believe he is very, very close to the national team," added Wenger. "For me I think he should be in the team. He should be competing with Patrice Evra and Eric Abidal.
"But they have so many players it's hard to make the selection. He is the youngest one, he will be 23 years old in July. And don't forget he was injured for a while too.
"But now he has hit many people in France with his display at Old trafford recently. It was a top-class performance, not only football-wise but character-wise.
"He showed a non-acceptance of the defeat when we were down 2-1. He was the one who really moved us forward."
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