Source: Team_Talk
Gunners skipper offers Fab support
Fabianski - deputising for the injured Manuel Almunia - had an evening to forget at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night, as his costly errors saw the Gunners suffer a controversial 2-1 defeat which leaves their hopes of making it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League hanging in the balance.[LNB]Manager Arsene Wenger had spoken of his complete confidence in the "massive potential" of the young Pole in the build up to the first leg of the last 16 tie.[LNB]However, Fabianski - who was less than impressive in last season's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley and then found himself exposed in the fourth-round defeat at Stoke last month - was once again unconvincing.[LNB]First, the 24-year-old pushed Silvestre Varela's cross into his own net before then giving away a free-kick when he picked up a back-pass from Sol Campbell which led to Porto's second goal.[LNB]Fabregas, though, insisted the whole dressing room was behind the keeper, who looks set to be between the posts again for the visit of Sunderland on Saturday.[LNB]"He is a very good keeper," said the Arsenal captain.[LNB]"He had his chance and sometimes it doesn't go your way.[LNB]"But we will stand up and support him until the end because he is a good character and I am sure he will be back."[LNB]Fabregas added: "Lukasz is strong and we have to be there for him. Sometimes when you are young in a big game, these things happen to you."[LNB]The Arsenal captain, however, was less than impressed by the "schoolboy" defending which cost his side against the Portuguese champions.[LNB]Fabregas warned such lapses in concentration must be eliminated if the Gunners are to avoid another barren campaign.[LNB]"Sometimes we make mistakes which, at the top level, you pay for," he said.[LNB]"It happened against Chelsea and Manchester United, now again in Porto, so I think we have to try to find the solution to these problems because it is costing us many, many things.[LNB]"The other top teams do not make these mistakes as often as we do.[LNB]"We can only change it by working and training I guess."[LNB]One positive from the defeat was what could yet prove to be a crucial away goal from veteran Sol Campbell, whose headed equaliser was his first back in Arsenal colours since the Champions League final against Barcelona in 2006.[LNB]Porto were beaten 4-0 on their last visit to the Emirates Stadium during September 2008, and lost twice to Chelsea in the group stages earlier this season.[LNB]Arsenal, however, have not overturned a first leg deficit in Europe since the 1978-79 campaign, and were hit by a late goal from Brazil defender Alex when PSV Eindhoven secured a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium three seasons ago having been 1-0 up from the game in Holland.[LNB]Fabregas, though, maintains the Gunners can fight their way through to the last eight.[LNB]"It is going to be hard for us in the second leg, but I am still confident we will prevail in the end," the Spain midfielder said.[LNB]"We will just have to see who is strongest on the night."[LNB]Fabregas added: "We knew Porto had a very quick and talented team, but the truth is we allowed them to score two very easy goals.[LNB]"You just can't let that happen at this level. Now we are 2-1 down and we are going to have to fight our way back."[LNB]Fabianski could be taken out of the firing line on Saturday should Almunia recover.[LNB]Alex Song is expected to be back, but Gunners boss Wenger revealed fellow midfielder Abou Diaby had picked up a knee problem against Porto.[LNB]William Gallas (calf), Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo (both hamstring) are still out.[LNB]Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "We lost Abou Diaby last night [at Porto]. It is not understandable. I don't know how it worked. But he has a medial knee ligament injury.[LNB]"We discovered it today. He came in today and he had pain in his knee.[LNB]"However Song could be available, we have a test tomorrow on him.[LNB]"I don't know about Almunia, we'll have a test tomorrow on him too. I'd say Song is 80 per cent to be back in the squad, Almunia is 50/50, but Diaby is zero.[LNB]"Arshavin, Gallas and Eduardo will still be out."[LNB][LNB]
