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It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:12 am
by Leody
My contribution to the blog today guys...

http://goonersworld.wordpress.com/

The goalkeeping position has been a hot topic for Arsenal for almost a year and things have certainly not been any less talked about recently. However, the reason it's being talked about now is much better. As most members of our forum are very well aware I have not been a big fan of Fabianski since his "mishaps" last winter. I have often questioned his ability to play at the top levels of professional football. Lukasz may have the physical ability and talent to play at a high level, but from past performances I had little reason to believe he had the requisite mind. He would apparently put on great displays for Arsene in training, but looked completely lost when on the main stage. He was indecisive, timid and quite frankly looked downright scared at times in goal last season. My how things have changed...

When the opportunity presented itself in the form of an injury to Almunia, Fabianski finally decided to step up. Arsene said himself you have to give players a second chance, but not ten, I guess Fabianski realized he was on nine already. He's woken up now and looks like a completely different keeper, and the timing couldn't have been better.

In his first match against Partizan Fabianski spent most of it standing alone at the back with little to do, but when he was called upon he was up for the task. One minor misstep when he fumbled a cross to the feet of Sagna who comfortably cleared, one saved penalty and one fine save right before the final whistle. Confidence had to have been boosted after that. Then the Chelsea match. Another solid performance, little anybody could have done about the two goals and no mistakes. Then the real game changer against Birmingham. For the first time in years we had a keeper that commanded his box. Fabianski looked like a completely different person, charging off his line on several occasions to collect or punch clear. I struggle to remember the last time I saw an Arsenal keeper come off his line that many times in a single match, and not get burned because of it... and I can't remember ever seeing Fabianski do it before. Then again against Shakhtar, very similar to the Partizan match, lots of time count blades of grass, but up for the task when called upon. There's nothing anybody could have done to save the Eduardo volley, and Fabianski still came close despite the Squillaci screen. And well, need I say anything about his performance against Manchester City yesterday? Wow...

It's been questioned how genuine the injury is to Almunia, and if it all is just a smoke screen for him being dropped. I tend to trust a bit of honesty from Arsene in most cases, this would fall into that category as well. And if you recall, after Almunia saved Brunt's penalty in the loss to West Brom he got up holding his elbow. However, has Fabianski's recent form delayed the return of Almunia? The world may never know...

One thing is certain, Arsenal has not had a keeper put in five consecutive performances at the level Fabianski has in well over a year. Arsenal has a man in goal who looks up for the task, fearless and commanding. Three qualities that Almunia has rarely displayed on the same day. And Fabianski's confidence has to be at an all time high. When Almunia is ready to return, Arsene is going to have a real dilemma on his hands... but that's a good problem to have.


Please discuss

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:16 am
by Inchpräctice
Oh how the tune has changed....!

;)

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:20 am
by Leody
Inchpractice wrote:Oh how the tune has changed....!

;)


I know right...

I'm still not filled with loads of confidence, but Fabianski has certainly shown me things I never thought he was capable of. But his past performances leave me a little uneasy still. No matter how good he's been, he's still just 8 or 9 months removed from some horrible blunders. Time will tell, but he's taken advantage of this opportunity.

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:21 am
by Inchpräctice
How many licks....? The world may never know.

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:31 am
by Rockin' Robin
Great blog mate. Probably best if the thread is moved to the Fabianski section, so everyone can see it. I don't think that many members read the blog.

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:53 am
by Git
Nice blog mate.

Can't really disagree with anything.

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:02 am
by Leody
Git wrote:Nice blog mate.

Can't really disagree with anything.


Thanks

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:05 pm
by gzagee
I'm with you Leo, played well thus far. Still 7 months to go.
but cannae comlain about his form.

Nice write-up.

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:22 pm
by Libertine
Good write up Leody. :thumbsup:


You've certainly changed your tune since you started this thread....
viewtopic.php?f=109&t=15581

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:48 pm
by Forest
Libertine wrote:Good write up Leody. :thumbsup:


You've certainly changed your tune since you started this thread....
viewtopic.php?f=109&t=15581

:lol: how times change, still may go back to it after few months.

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:56 pm
by Arsenal Tone
Good blog mate :arsenal3:

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:57 pm
by Leody
Well I've always said that I hoped he would prove me wrong. :dontknow:

I just didn't think there was anyway he would. He seems to have gotten his head out of his ass and built some confidence. He honestly doesn't look anything like the keeper he was last year, not even a shadow of that person. I just hope that he doesn't revert back to that at some point.

He's made me eat my words once, let's hope he doesn't do it again. :grin:

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:59 pm
by liam_cork
your not the only one do a quick whi round the papers and they're all changing their tune too

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:03 pm
by Leody
liam_cork wrote:your not the only one do a quick whi round the papers and they're all changing their tune too


It really is down to the quality he's shown though... it's shockingly great. He hasn't just fumbled his way to a couple lucky wins and clean sheets and been bailed out by his defense, he commanded the position like nothing we've seen in ages.

I'd still be on the hate train had he not shown something truly different, but he has, so I have no choice but to praise him.

I like to think of his recent form like winning the lotto, you wish it would happen, but you're certain it never will... well Fabianski won the lotto. :dizzy:

Re: It's a Good Problem to Have

PostPosted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:49 pm
by CynicalGooner
A good problem to have would have been if we sold Almunia like we should have, bought in a top goalie and Fabianski had produced these performances with him out injured.

Long term I still find it very hard to see Fabianski as our number 1, as good as he has been.