Manuel Almunia dropped... But Arsene Wenger insists its only down to injury

After the backlash following Manuel Almunia's shocking display against West Bromwich, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has announced the under-fire keeper will not feature in the midweek Champions League clash - but insists it is purely due to injury.  Polish stopper Lukasz Fabianski, 25, will take Almunia's place in the clash with Partizan Belgrade but Wenger moved quickly to quash talk the under-fire Spaniard had been dropped. Almunia's horror show came as the Baggies picked up their first winover the Gunners in 27 years, prompting the home fans to boo theirplayers following the 3-2 reversal at the Emirates. Crashing down: Almunia up-ends Peter Odemwingie to concede a penalty The Spaniard conceded the first-half penalty by bringing downOdemwingie and was at fault for West Bromwich's second strike, as hefailed to handle Jara's straightforward shot. Can't watch: Almunia won't feature for Arsenal in Europe The mistakes added to the already expanding list of gaffes whichhave cost Arsenal dearly in European and domestic competitions. But Wenger insisted his absence is purely due to injury: 'We haveManual Almunia out. He has a problem with his elbow, he caught it whenhe made the penalty on Saturday. 'The keeper is always the easy target, the easy scapegoat. But wewin together and we lose together even if people think he made amistake on the second goal.' The Arsenal boss also announced that Kieran Gibbs will face a late fitness test before boarding the flight to Serbia following the injury he sustained during the Carling Cup win over Tottenham. Deefat to Ronberto Di Matteo's side was the Gunners first home defeat since the ManchesterUnited turned them over in January, and it keeps the club four points adrift of leagueleaders Chelsea. Wenger has traditionally been one of the most protective managers inthe Premier League, but did not hold back following the shock defeat. 'We got what we deserved,' said the Frenchman. 'We didn't deserve anything more. We were not good enough.' 'It'sunexplainable. It was our first really bad performance of the season. Ican't explain how flat we were. I didn't recognise my team.' And Arsenal fans will hardly be boosted by news that Fabianski willbe handed the No 1 jersey after the Pole's poor showing against Spurslast Tuesday. Robbie Keane's shot from the edge of the boxlooked savable but the ball bobbled under the keeper's hands and intothe back of the net.  Wenger is losing it: Fuming boss turns on Arsenal players after Albion defeatArsenal 2 West Brom 3: Gunners labour in leadership battle with no CescWe'll frighten Arsenal! Partizan Belgrade boss promises hot reception for Gunners ARSENAL FC