Fabianski happy to wait

Gunners number two working hard for his chance to shine

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 6th January 2009

Fabianski happy to wait

Fabianski: Knows he must bide his time

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Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski knows he must be patient if he is to become the No.1 at the Emirates.

Fabianski has played second fiddle to Almunia since he joined from Legia Warsaw in 2007.

The Poland international has had to make do with appearances in cup competitions since he joined the Gunners as Almunia made the No.1 spot his own after taking over from long-serving keeper Jens Lehmann.

The 23-year-old has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season when he replaced a concussed Almunia late on in the 2-1 win against Manchester United.

Despite featuring regularly in the Carling Cup this season, and playing in the FA Cup against Plymouth on Saturday, Fabianski is hoping for more opportunities.

"I try to stay positive. I am always working hard in training, preparing myself as best I can for the games, so we will see what happens," he said.

"Maybe in the future I will get more chances. I think I am doing well in training and I am trying to be really close to being first choice.

Hoping

"I hope in the future I will get what I am working for.

"You have to be patient, especially for me, because before I came to Arsenal I was playing regularly as the first-choice goalkeeper at Legia Warsaw.

"Since I came here, I have had to show that I am ready to fight for my place. I am fighting really hard, and hope the future will be mine."

Despite being in direct competition with each other Fabianski has a great deal of respect for his goalkeeping team-mate.

Almunia could act as inspiration for the Polish shot-stopper as he too had to bide his time while Lehmann ruled supreme at the Gunners.

"Manuel is being our leader on the pitch and is trying to help the team as much as he can," Fabianski added.

"I think every goalkeeper needs to have that type of personality.

"You have to have a really, really big character to play in goal anyway, and want to be responsible for the team."