Striker takes advantage of 'keeper error

Andy Carroll made headlines for the right reasons as his goal gave Newcastle a shock 1-0 win over title-chasing Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Carroll, tipped to feature in England's senior squad for the friendly with France later this month, had started the day on the front pages following allegations about his private life.

However, under the close eye of watching England boss Fabio Capello, the Newcastle number nine headed in what proved to be the winner at the end of the first half.

Although Arsenal twice hit the woodwork through Cesc Fabregas' deflected free-kick and Theo Walcott, the Gunners were well below par and their miserable afternoon was compounded by the dismissal of centre-back Laurent Koscielny in stoppage time for a professional foul.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had also found his personal life under the media spotlight ahead of this fixture.

Nevertheless, the French coach will have expected nothing but 100% focus from his team, whom he felt were complacent when throwing away an early lead in their midweek European tie.

After an initial spell of pressure from Newcastle, Arsenal slowly saw built momentum.

Walcott chased a long pass upfield which was smothered by keeper Tim Krul, before Marouane Chamakh just failed to collect Alex Song's pass at the edge of a crowded penalty area.

Newcastle had been thumped 4-0 by Arsenal in the Carling Cup clash at St James Park a fortnight ago, but went into this game buoyed by their thrashing of local rivals Sunderland.

Arsenal - looking to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea, who play at Liverpool later this afternoon - almost took the lead on 11 minutes when Fabregas' deflected 22-yard free-kick crashed against the crossbar after ricocheting off the wall.

The Gunners captain was then played into the right side of the penalty area, but was quickly crowded out before Walcott's chip across the six-yard box was headed behind.

Arsenal, though, were left frustrated as Newcastle broke up play well, and were awarded a few free-kicks which were delivered direct into the penalty area.

The atmosphere went a bit flat as half-time approached, with Arsenal not really able to get near their usual fluidity.

When Fabregas was slipped in down the right by Samir Nasri, his shot at the near post was blocked into the sidenetting as the home fans continued to grow restless.

The Emirates Stadium, though, almost erupted when Nasri's drive appeared to be heading for the top corner - only for Krul to pull-off a fine one-handed save.

Newcastle took a shock lead on the stroke of half-time when a deep free-kick into the Arsenal box from Joey Barton was met by Carroll, who got there ahead of Lukasz Fabianski to nod the visitors in front.

At the start of the second half, Arsenal hit the woodwork again when Walcott darted into the right side of the area from Jack Wilshere's pass and lashed in an angled drive, which crashed against the underside of the bar with Krul beaten.

Arsenal continued to press, with Song cutting the ball back across the six-yard box, but Chamakh was unable to connect.

With 35 minutes left, Wenger made a change when he sent on Andrey Arshavin to replace Nasri and then introduced Robin van Persie for the Dutchman's first appearance since the end of August after an ankle injury.

Van Persie's first touch was a lovely backheel down the left, with Gael Clichy then delivering a low cross which was just too far ahead of Arshavin.

Newcastle, though, continued to show little regard for reputation as they looked to hold possession in a match which started to become somewhat scrappy as Wilshere was left in a heap following a challenge from Barton, but the referee took no action before defender Mike Williamson send a header wide from a corner.

Wenger's last throw of the dice came with 17 minutes left when Nicklas Bendtner replaced Wilshere.

Arshavin almost weaved his way clear, but Fabricio Coloccini made a saving tackle in the six-yard box.

Arsenal had pace in abundance up front now, but Newcastle continued to hold their ground.

Fabregas' diving header was straight at the keeper following Arshavin's run as Wenger looked to the heavens.

Arsenal threw long balls forwards, but Newcastle were not to be denied a shock victory as the hosts finished with 10 men after centre-half Koscielny was shown a straight red card for hauling down substitute Nile Ranger.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 7 Nov 10

Arsenal at last feel Lukasz Fabianski will no longer cost them dear

The goalkeeper known as Bambi finally looks strong enough to be the club's No 1.

According to the embellishment, which is typical of these tales, Lukasz Fabianski had a tear in his eye. We are not talking about the Arsenal goalkeeper's infamous Champions League night in Oporto, or the FA Cup semi-final horror show against Chelsea; rather an incident from his formative days as a Legia Warsaw player.

His team-mate could hardly believe his eyes. He was leaving the cinema with his young family when he spotted Fabianski in a nearby seat. He was alone. The film was Bambi.

Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, footballers rarely keep these things quiet and let them lie. The subsequent dressing-room inquest was relentless and unforgiving, yet Fabianski was unrepentant. Bambi is his favourite film. What was wrong with that? From then on, Fabianski became known as Bambi, not only to his Legia team-mates but also in sections of the Polish press.

The episode tells us two things about the man who is currently Arsenal's No1 and who hopes to remain as such when Manuel Almunia finally recovers from his elbow injury in one or two weeks' time. In a profession and, more specifically, a position in which brashness and even a little bit of madness is the norm, Fabianski is different. The 25-year-old is no Artur Boruc or Tomasz Kuszczak, his rivals for the Poland jersey, of Fiorentina and Manchester United respectively. He is quiet, shy and somewhat sensitive. He is simply a nice, down-to-earth bloke.

Secondly, Fabianski certainly has the courage of his convictions. His problems at Arsenal, whom he joined from Legia in the summer of 2007, have been linked to confidence and the difficulty of showing his quality when the pressure has been on. He has never truly, until perhaps now in these past five weeks, felt like the club's No1 and when sporadic opportunity knocked previously, he was overwhelmed.

"The confidence problem is a very interesting subject in top-level sport," said the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, today. "You feel it goes quickly and comes back slowly. Of course, Fabianski's mistakes affected him."

It feels, however, as if Fabianski has turned a corner. Clanger-free in his six appearances this season, he was excellent in last weekend's pivotal 3-0 victory at Manchester City, winning plaudits, particularly from back home in Poland, where the media coverage was euphoric. "Fabianski is No1," the newspapers said. They even printed comments from Arsenal fan sites, which had saluted the death of 'Flappyhandski', another of the goalkeeper's unwanted soubriquets.

Fabianski is not the sort of player to make bold statements about what he intends to do but he has always believed in himself and felt that, given the right set of circumstances, he could establish himself as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper. Wenger will face a difficult decision when Almunia returns to fitness and he says it is a decision which cannot be hedged.

Turning up the heat further is the third-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, another Pole from Legia, who emerged with honours from the midweek Carling Cup win at Newcastle United. The 20-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but Wenger has offered him a new deal and is confident that he will sign.

"When everyone is available you have to make a choice because you cannot play in goal and feel that every mistake you make, you are out," Wenger said. "It is a little bit a special position on that front."

The Frenchman's words carry extra resonance as Arsenal prepare to welcome West Ham United and Robert Green, the goalkeeper who was dropped from the England team at the World Cup finals after his blunder in the opening match against the USA cost the team two points. Fabio Capello, the England manager, was criticised for going into the tournament without a clear  No 1.

Wenger, though, appeared in no mood to nail his colours to the mast just yet. "The question will certainly be raised in Fabianski's mind; 'Will I continue to play when Almunia is fit?' But at the moment, certainly, he feels that he will play in the next game at least," Wenger said. "Even if he doesn't feel the No1, he feels that he will play in the next game.

"Fabianski has always felt that if he could get a run of games, he could show how good he was. He is what I call a natural goalkeeper; the rhythm of the game runs though his body. And on the pitch, I tell you, he is louder than you think."

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 29 Oct 10

Lukasz Fabianski ready to unseat Manuel Almunia as Arsenal No1 keeper

Lukasz Fabianski is ready to challenge Manuel Almunia for the first-choice goalkeeping position at Arsenal and hopes to start against Chelsea on Sunday.
Fabianski went from Flappy Handski to Fab Handski after what Arsène Wenger described as a "faultless" performance during his side's 3-1 win away to Partizan Belgrade last night.

The Pole saved a penalty and brilliantly palmed a late shot round a post, banishing some unfortunate memories of errors in Arsenal's goal and possibly persuading the club's fans to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Fabianski started in Serbia only because Almunia, heavily criticised for his mistakes during the 3-2 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion, had been left at home, apparently nursing an elbow injury. With Almunia rated doubtful for Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge, his former understudy is on stand-by. "I am ready to play against Chelsea," Fabianski said. "I am always ready, so we will see."

The 25-year-old, signed by Wenger from Legia Warsaw three years ago, claimed to be immune to the criticism. "I was never really bothered by all the things said. I was always trying to focus on my job and my work. That is what I was always doing and that is why I am grounded."

Fabianski would not be human were he not even a little hurt by the scathing analysis of his perceived blunders against Porto in the Champions League last year, during a 2009 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea and, just last week, against Tottenham in the Carling Cup, and he appreciates football's shades of grey. He stresses that goalkeeping is about more than pulling off show-stopping saves – or making the odd misjudgment. "Overall I am pleased with my performance," he said, well aware that rumour has it that Mark Schwarzer or Shay Given may be arriving at the Emirates in January.

"I am not just talking about saves but reading the game, coming for crosses or playing with my feet. Every aspect of goalkeeping is important for me, so I am pleased with my performance in general."

Such perspective is all very well but is still hard to escape the feeling that a September Tuesday night in Belgrade could yet come to be seen as a watershed in Fabianski's career. Certainly Wenger could not disguise his delight at seeing the goalkeeping ability "we see every day in training" finally transported to the pitch. "I am confident he can come out as a great keeper," said Arsenal's manager, who will give the injured Cesc Fábregas and Thomas Vermaelen fitness tests before the trip to Chelsea. "I know it is in him."

Fabianski hopes to be part of a winning side at Stamford Bridge. "We are playing really well this season," he said. "There was a big shock on Saturday [against West Brom] but I think you could see against Partizan we had learnt some things from Saturday. The performance was much better so we are looking forward to the Chelsea game. It's going to be an exciting one to watch – and we are in good condition."

Source: Louise Taylor, The Guardian on 29 Sep 10

Arsène Wenger thinks Arsenal's Lukasz Fabianski will be 'great keeper'

Arsène Wenger has challenged stand-in goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to make the most of his next chance as Arsenal's No1 after helping his side beat 10-man Partizan Belgrade 3-1 – an opportunity which may come at Chelsea on Sunday.

The often-criticised Pole impressed as he stood in for the injured Manuel Almunia for last night's Champions League Group H clash, saving a late penalty and then capping a confident display with another acrobatic stop from Ivica Iliev in stoppage time.

Wenger has long championed Fabianski's cause, despite a number of blunders, and felt last night's display proved his faith justified. "Fabianski had a good game, we have seen the player who we see in training. He had a faultless game," he said. "I know it is in him. He got it out in the game and hopefully that will give him the needed belief and confidence. I am confident he will come out as a great keeper, I have always said that. We have to keep confidence in him and he needs to gain experience from games like this."

Fabianski could be in line to play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, should Almunia - himself under the spotlight following some errors in the 3-2 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion – not recover from an elbow problem. Wenger said: "At the moment Almunia is injured, we will have to see how his injury goes, but at the moment it is too early to say."

Wenger felt his side, missing key men like captain Cesc Fábregas, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen, coped well with the early pressure from Belgrade. "Partizan gave us the game we expected – full of commitment, full of power on every break," he said. "We had a lot of the ball and created a lot of chances. However, we could not kill the game off and then we were always under threat."

Partizan have now lost both of their matches, and look set for a battle with Braga for the Europa League place. Their coach, Alexandar Stanojevic, said: "We have to admit that Arsenal were a better team, so we have to go on."

Source: Press Association, The Guardian on 29 Sep 10

Wilshere hails Fabianski after crucial saves

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere praised goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski as the Gunners claimed a 3-1 Champions League win away to Partizan Belgrade.

Fabianski, in for the injured Manuel Almunia, saved a second-half penalty to help Arsene Wenger's men record a second win in the group and also made another great stop right at the death.

"It's been hard for our 'keepers at the moment and that was a great reponse from him,'' Wilshere said on Sky Sports 4. "He made a good save at the end as well. Fair play to him.

"We were confident, we came here to get a win and that's what happened. We came here and we knew it was going to be a hard atmosphere, we dealt with it well and got the result.''

A power failure had earlier forced Arsenal to change for the game in the dark. "We had to use phone torches,'' said Wilshere.

Manager Arsene Wenger was also pleased with Fabianski's "faultless'' performance.

"Fabianski had a good game, we have seen the player tonight who we see in training. He had a faultless game,'' said the Arsenal boss. "I know it is in him. He got it out in the game tonight and hopefully that will give him the belief and confidence he needs.

"I am confident he will come out as a great 'keeper, I have always said that. We have to keep confidence in him and he needs to gain experience from games like this.''

Fabianski could be in line to play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Wenger said: "At the moment Almunia is injured, we will have to see how his injury goes, but at the moment it is too early to say.''

Wenger felt his side, missing key men like captain Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen, coped well with the early onslaught.

"Partizan gave us the game we expected - full of commitment, full of power on every break,'' he said. "We had a lot of the ball and created a lot of chances. However, we could not kill the game off and then we were always under threat.

"They came back with the penalty, afterwards we needed to keep the pace high and when we got the second goal, I thought we looked comfortable. For us it was important to win straight away after a big disappointment against West Brom.

"It puts us in a good position confidence-wise, Sunday is a big, big game for us. I believe we will go there with a desire to do extremely well.''

There was a chance the match would not have gone ahead if the floodlights had failed. Wenger said: "I thought it would be terrible to go home and not play. I encouraged UEFA when they asked me 'do you want to play even if one corner is off?', I said 'yes, as long as the referee is happy with it'. Overall it was acceptable.''

Partizan have now lost both of their matches, and look set for a battle with Braga for the Europa League place.

Coach Alexandar Stanojevic said: "The atmosphere during and after the match from our supporters tells us they were satisfied and we played a good game. However, when we got the red card it was difficult because it is tough enough to play against Arsenal when you have 11, but when you have 10, it is nearly impossible.

"We have to admit, though, that Arsenal were a better team, so we have to go on.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 29 Sep 10

Arsenal look fine in theory but persistently fail the practical

A better goalkeeper than Manuel Almunia is required but he is not solely to blame for the Gunners' shortcomings.

Arsène Wenger might have been mistaken for a boor if not a bully last week. The side he chose for Arsenal's Carling Cup tie at White Hart Lane appeared a breach of the unwritten law that major clubs must send out makeshift line-ups in the early stages of the tournament. Extra-time was needed, but following their 4-1 loss Tottenham Hotspur may have felt that the earnestness of the visitors was crass.
Wenger gave a hint of support to the theory that any trophy is a prize to be coveted by a club that has gone five years without silverware. The wider truth, however, is that it is becoming difficult for him to pick a subdued side. Were everyone fit, he could have sent out an entirely different starting XI against Tottenham that would have been more intimidating still: Almunia; Sagna, Squillaci, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Walcott, Fábregas, Song, Arshavin; Van Persie, Chamakh.

Whether through youth development or astute transfer dealings he has assembled a rich collection of footballers, yet there can be no euphoria in the stands at the Emirates. The practicalities of the game again eluded Arsenal in the 3-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. During their last top-flight campaign, those opponents notched just one away win, against a Middlesbrough side that would also be relegated in that 2008‑09 season.

It could well be that Albion's current manager, Roberto Di Matteo, is transforming the club, but the earlier away trips in the Premier League saw them lose 6-0 and 1-0 at Chelsea and Liverpool respectively. Even though West Bromwich will have reflected on those defeats, it was Arsenal who did most to ensure their triumph. At such moments protocol calls for Manuel Almunia to be rebuked if not derided and he was undoubtedly at fault.

When the Spaniard supplanted Jens Lehmann in the 2007‑08 season, the German vented his scorn. Few would believe that Almunia stands comparison with the sort of goalkeepers who turn out for other leading clubs in the Champions League. It is undeniable, too, that Wenger sought to remove him from the line-up. Considering that Fulham had an interest in selling Mark Schwarzer, who was approaching the last season of his contract, and Arsenal had every cause to recruit him it was a feat of some sort that a deal was not struck.

The principal consequence of Wenger's efforts to bring in the Australian can only have been further damage to the confidence of Almunia. He is to miss tonight's match with Partizan Belgrade because of an elbow injury but the harm was done while saving Chris Brunt's penalty at the weekend. Although a better goalkeeper is required at the Emirates, it would be facile to see Almunia as the source of all sorrow.

Wenger was once known for his rigour, with the partnership of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit sited in front of the centre-back Tony Adams during the first phase of the manager's tenure at Arsenal. Gilberto Silva would be signed in 2002 and despite the fluctuations over his spell in London, the departure of the holding midfielder six years later still seems regrettable, particularly since he is still good enough to be playing for Brazil.

All the same, Wenger's various decisions are having an impact and the Premier League looks more forgiving of aberrations than it has been of late. The sole unbeaten side in the top four is Manchester United and they are yet to win away from home. By contrast, Arsenal claimed the sort of hard-bitten victory at Blackburn that is not generally viewed as part of their repertoire.

Admittedly, that battle-hardened air is not yet present on every occasion. Sheer panic by Gaël Clichy cost the side a win at Sunderland. From a broader perspective, Arsenal can be hopeful if there is an increase in confidence as the side settle down. A stable combination in the middle of the back four would be of benefit yet we are still to see how, say, Laurent Koscielny's rapport with the currently injured Vermaelen evolves.

Arsenal's scope for progress cannot be ignored. Cesc Fábregas is yet to return and if Robin van Persie can maintain fitness once he has regained it the impact ought to be profound. Theo Walcott's pace should be of value, too, when he comes back from ankle trouble. Nonetheless, the healing that Arsenal need so badly must take place in the mind. A side chastened in the league last season by comprehensive defeats by Chelsea, as well as Manchester United, go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Source: Kevin McCarra, The Guardian on 28 Sep 10

Arsène Wenger backs Arsenal's derided goalkeepers to defy the critics

For a man so dedicated to cultivating the attacking arts, Arsène Wenger is suddenly being forced to spend a perplexing amount of time on the back foot.

As he swapped the dark clouds and heavy rain engulfing Luton airport for Serbia's late September sunshine today, questions about vulnerabilities within his goalkeeping department and the leadership qualities of a side shorn of Cesc Fábregas must certainly have echoed in the Arsenal manager's ears.

Wenger's team arrived for tomorrow night's Champions League game at Partizan Belgrade having lost only once this season – defeated by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday – but with concern mounting about the calibre of their goalkeepers.

Reiterating his principles with characteristic defiance Wenger once again defended Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski while also shrugging off suggestions that he erred in not signing Mark Schwarzer or Shay Given during the summer. Instead the Frenchman continues to rely on Almunia and his understudy, Fabianski, who will be Arsenal's last line of defence tomorrow evening as the former is out with an elbow injury.

Injuries are rarely welcome in football but Wenger probably has reason to be relieved about this particular malady. Not for the first time, Almunia was heavily criticised for his part in the 3-2 West Bromwich defeat, during which he was blamed for Albion's second goal. His manager looked suitably relieved to be able to pull him out of the firing line and offer a plausible excuse.

"Almunia is injured, he did his right elbow in making [conceding] the penalty [which the Spaniard saved]," he said. "We checked him at half‑time, he had some pain but said he could go on." In the second half Arsenal's keeper allowed a shot from Gonzalo Jara to squirm past him.

There will inevitably be suspicions that this is a "diplomatic" injury designed to protect a shell-shocked player but, whatever the reality, Wenger cleverly gave Almunia's critics reason to doubt their damning analysis before claiming he would have started here if fit. "No, I wouldn't have dropped him. The keeper is always the easy target, the easy scapegoat. But we win and lose together, even if people think he made a mistake on the second goal. Manuel is very low. He's disappointed. But the whole squad's very low. We had a good opportunity and did not catch it."

If Wenger harbours regrets about not signing Schwarzer or Given during the transfer window he was keeping them to himself. Similar discretion was applied to any potential recruitment of a new keeper in January. "I don't think that's the right debate now," he said. "We have the squad we have. Players who did not come in are not the problem."

Fabianski is possibly even more error-prone than Almunia but his manager remains unworried. "I have no concerns," said Wenger who will put Wojciech Szczesny on the bench. "Only the media do. Fabianski's made mistakes in the past but has shown he can learn from them."

Having exhausted goalkeeping, the conversation turned to the vacuum left by Fábregas's absence. "It's always tempting when you lose to say there's no leader but I believe you share leadership and we have plenty of players of character," said Wenger, who declined to name his captain for tomorrow night but readily reasserted core principles. "I'll tell my players to continue to play the way we want to play and to believe in themselves."

Partizan's class of 2010 may be a shadow of their 1966 European Cup finalist forbears but the Serbian champions – much to Red Star's chagrin – cannot be underestimated. "They're technically very good and well organised," acknowledged Wenger who, taking Serbian police advice, has requested enhanced security for his squad. "They'll use every possible break to hit us on the counter-attack. We'll have a lot of the ball but it'll be frenetic."

Coached by the 36-year-old Aleksandar Stanojevic, the unbeaten, fiercely proud, Serbian league leaders – who have appealed for their sometimes violent fans to "behave" tomorrow night – boast a former Wigan reserve goalkeeper in Vladimir Stojkovic, along with a potent Brazil‑born forward named Cleo.

The recipient of death threats after crossing the great Belgrade divide from Red Star last year, Cleo scored eight times in six Champions League qualifiers and is now widely regarded as "the best signing" in his new club's history. Charged with frustrating him tomorrow night, Fabianksi may not care to be reminded that Partizan are frequently dubbed either "The Steam-Roller" or "The Grave-Diggers".

Source: Louise Taylor, The Guardian on 27 Sep 10