Fabianski can become ‘great keeper’ – Wenger

Arsenal fans may need some convincing but manager Arsene Wenger was adamant Lukasz Fabianski could become a “great keeper” after the Pole’s impressive display in the Champions League victory away to Partizan Belgrade.

The Gunners ran out 3-1 winners on Tuesday night against a Partizan side reduced to 10 men early in the second half by Marko Jovanic’s red card.

But the final result might have been different had Fabianski – deputising for the injured and equally criticised Manuel Almunia – not saved a Cleo penalty late on and then turned away Ivica Iliev’s stoppage-time shot.

As it was Andrey Arshavin’s early goal, cancelled out by a Cleo penalty following Denilson’s handball, plus further goals from Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci saw Arsenal make it two Champions League wins out of two this season following their 6-0 rout of Braga.

Arsenal tried to sign Australia keeper Mark Schwarzer from London rivals Fulham during the transfer window and the supposed lack of a ‘top’ No. 1 has long been a source of worry to Gunners’ fans.

But Wenger said Fabianski’s form in the Serbian capital came as no surprise to him.

“Fabianski had a good game, we have seen the player who we see in training. He had a faultless game,” said Wenger.

“I know it is in him. He got it out in the game in Serbia and hopefully that will give him the belief and confidence he needs.”

The Frenchman added: “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.”

Now Fabianski could be between the posts for Sunday’s all-London match away to Premier League leaders and title-holders Chelsea.

“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 was delighted by a win which came hot on the heels of Arsenal’s shock loss to West Brom in the Premier League.

“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,” he said.