Wojciech Szczesny has hailed his compatriot Lukasz Fabianski for his displays in the FA Cup this season, but says he wants to start the final next month.
The younger of the Poles, immediately recalled to the starting XI against West Ham – making his position as the number 1 obvious – insisted the most important thing is that Arsenal win the cup, but like any player he wants to play in such a big game.
“I would love to play but it’s the manager’s decision,” he said. “It’s up to the him. I think Lukasz has done really well and he deserves a lot of credit. I’m an Arsenal fan and I just want us to get the trophy.
“For us, it’s important to get a trophy and hopefully we can appease everyone at the club.”
It leaves Arsene Wenger with something of a decision to make. If he sees Szczesny as his number 1, then it seems sensible to pick his best goalkeeper and one whose future lies with the club.
Fabianski has done well, no question, and while nobody would really begrudge him a final place, he is going to leave the club this summer.
Would it not be better for Szczesny to get that experience of winning a trophy (assuming we can do that?). Not easy, that’s for sure.
What do you reckon, folks?
POLL
Just give it give vivano surely he was brought for this match?
Is it coincidence that the competion Fabianski plays in we’re doing better?
YES, IT IS A COINCIDENCE.
Fabianski has one trait which Szczcesny is lacking. The ability to be good Even though the rest of the team is bad. Szczcesny tend to be bad when the rest of the team is bad. Unlike Keepers like David Marshall whom have been through some real shit storms in the Cardiff goal, But still managed to stand his ground and save Points for the bluebirds time and time again when his team have been utterly crap. Ofcourse when you have like 100 shots against you every game, it is impossible to save them all, but he has made some really… Read more »
I think you’ve forgotten how many damn times we’ve owed winning games to Szcez this season. Also, Szcez’s distribution imo is still better. And he’s had any number of eye-catching saves. If anything, the one department where Szcez really excels is his stopping ability – any game will really make that obvious.
I guess it is.
City played Pantilimon all last season for cup games… until the final
And they lost
He wouldn’t receive a medal anyhow, so why break the chain?
Or I’m I wrong in this unknown?
Szczesny for the first half. Then in case we’re winning, Fabianski Back for the 2nd. See, I want Szcz to get a medal (has he completed enough minutes in the cup to get one?), but for the journey and the stupendous saves he’s made plus the penalties, I’d want Fabianski to be there at the final whistle.
Wishful thinking?
The FA simply gives 30 medals to the club for them to distribute as they see fit, I believe.
Not picking Fabianski would be pretty disrespectful IMO. He’s a big part of the reason we’re there. Sure, he’s leaving this summer, but it’s only after a number of years of good service, of spending time patiently on the bench without complaining. He’s wanted to leave before, sure, but whenever the answer has been “no” he’s been professional and served as a reliable backup. For that, the guy deserves to win a trophy at Arsenal (or at least the opportunity to). He’ll be just as hungry as Szczesny since he’ll want to sign off on his time at Arsenal on… Read more »
Didn’t Blogs write about what it would be like for Szczesny if, once we win the cup, he is the only first team player not to have a medal? I understand why Fabianski is the favourite to be chosen, but I think Szczesny should start for that reason alone.
Disrespectful? Where is all this sympathy coming from? These Arsenal fans thumbing the comment up are probably the same fans who used to boo Fabianski. WE OWE HIM NOTHING, only in the last two years has he improved and he is still no way near the levels of Szczesny! Had it been Lukaz in goal vs Liverpool/Chelsea/City he would of been slaughtered on Arseblog!
The fact is Szczesny is better and you play your number 1 goalkeeper. But of course, if Blogger is on the money by saying Lukaz is Wenger’s “Lucky Charm” well then…I guess he will start.
No where near the level of Chesney, are you on drugs?
There is very little between them and it would be rotten in the extreme not to start Fab in the final. HIS penalty saves got us there!
No, I never booed Fabianski, and I believe he’s our cup goalkeeper and deserves to play in the final. As the last commenter said, there is very little between them. I’d be quite happy for Fab to stay on and fight for a place — I think with the two Poles in the squad we’d have the best goalkeeping like-up in the league — but I quite understand if he feels it’s time to move on. He’s been a loyal and generally reliable Gunner, and deserves a winner’s medal. It’s not out of sympathy, but respect for his development into… Read more »
I get this, but you can’t be sentimental. One’s second GK starts in cups because of rotation/fatigue. If we had gone to the final with Hayden, Gnabry and Zelalem, I’d still want Ozil, Rambo and Cazorla to start. We want to win this trophy. Arsene, put out your best team.
Look at Sczc’s record on the big stage.
Final vs Birmingham
Euro 2012 with Poland
Champs lge game vs Bayern
He’s prone to the odd error especially when he’s needed the most.
Whereas Fab seems to have matured and is more in control of his emotions, plus he’s distribution and shot stopping is better.
For me Fab all day long.
It’s not about being emotional. It’s about being fair. Arsenal is club of ethics, strong ones. You don’t rob a player of an opportunity like this after he has earned it. That’s plain simple wrong.
Funnily enough I was thumbed down to death up to my comment being hidden for suggesting what blogs is saying here, some four articles prior. Having said so, and I’m merely repeating what I said then, the situation reminds me of Alex Hleb in Paris. Pires was sacrificed instead of the useless bastard (he pretty much was in that final) and he repaid us by moving to our opponents in that final only two seasons later. Now I would rather see opportunities like these being given to either loyal players or players who look a good bet to be with… Read more »
Its tough to call, torn between being loyal to the guy who got us here, and the first choice who might offer a slight edge in the game.
In the end I’m mostly on the sentimental side, pick Fab unless there is a serious reason not to (he picks up a knock in training).
There enough of a difference in quality between the two guys right now, that not playing Szczesny is a real risk.
Let’s start Viviano so we dont have to pick a Pole.
Or have Viviano between two Poles.
Three goalkeepers should do the trick then.
we’ll still concede
Fabianski.
We wouldn’t be in the final without his penalty saves. Deserves the chance the finish the job.
No Szczesny is a far better keeper, as James said on the Arsecast Extra along the lines of “Fabianski just looks more reliable because he plays less games, and is therefore less prone to error”.
To be honest, I can stake my life that Szcz would of saved those same 2 penalties – they were poor penalties. Noone remembers the Udinese or Liverpool penalty save hey?
Szczensy should play; the better keeper; has a future at the club; we owe Fabianski nothing – if anything he owes us these performances.
COYG
Not only his penalty saves against Wigan, he was massive against Liverpool as well
There was me thinking “come on blogs, this is an easy call”. Then you went and put a poll on it and I have been staring at the screen for five minutes, unable to pick. Well played sir.
Fabianski deserves to play. Simpe as that. And maybe winning the FA Cup for us will be a fitting send off, remember Vieira last game.
Fabianski all the way !!! I read somewhere he’s done u turn and want new contract as long as more playing time , other note never cheered a crystal palace win before last night
Yup, reliable source that
These days even GBP100mm is not much of a war chest when you think about it. That only buys you one or two world class players when some would argue we need three or four. I’d bet Man Utd spends double that this summer. If (?) there really is GBP100mm available at Arsenal it needs to be spent wisely. Giving Sagna what he wants is a good start and avoids having to cough up for a new rightback. I think ditto with Fabiasnki. London is where most players prefer to live and it’s always a pain to move. Couldn’t he… Read more »
Sure Fabianski is on pole position to start
Fuck off scecz. Give it to fab…he carried us to the final. Fucking bastard. Shut up and play.
But you told him not to play? You can’t have it both ways potty mouth.
Calm down bub
Sorry son, but you don’t deserve that.
I think Fab has earned it due to his performances in the Liverpool and on the Wembley shoot out. But I don’t think Szczesny has spoken out of turn. He couldn’t exactly say he doesn’t fancy playing.
If Sczc is on the bench he’ll get a medal, so he’ll be an FA cup winner(fingers crossed)
After Sczc last time at Wembley, I’m not sure i want him playing, Fabianski’s been great & I see no reason to drop him.
I’m very interested on this poll on what pole plays between the poles…
In
Give it to Lukasz, seems like a top lad. I’d cack myself if I saved 2 in a semi final shootout just to be dropped for the final!
I am surprised at the support that Lukas enjoys. While I wholeheartedly agree, I thought the posters here would be more hard nosed pragmatists rather than idealists. Go on Fab, makes us proud in Wem-ber-ley!
Wenger has stuck with the “subs” he used in cups for previous finals so he may well do the same again
Let Fabianski in the middle of the post, in the middle of the year, in the middle of the team of which win the cup come May
Fabianski should start, must start. He deserves it. It will probably be his last match and that would be just like Vieira in 2005. Szcz should focus on keeping clean sheets in the remaining four league games.
To compete at the very top we need to have two top class keepers – which we have at the moment with Fab and Sczc. If Fab can be part of the FA Cup winning eleven, then it may persuade Mr. Wenger to split the keeper duties in future and that Fab stays longer term. Stability is a good thing in squads – we could see 5 or 6 leave this summer (Bentner, Ryo, Sagna, Verm, Viviano) and the same numbers coming in (or up from youth level/back from loans) – I believe that maintaining the bulk of the current… Read more »
Didn’t Wenger wheel Seaman out just for the final in 2002, or am I wrong?
He did. Richard Wright missed out.
Yep , Wright was the FA GK upto the semis. Twitter wasn’t around in those days so unfortunately I don’t know what Wright’s opinion was on this matter.
Fab undoubtedly. Without him there would be no final. We are pretty mediocre in the Wigan game for most parts till he stepped up and stopped those two penalties. Would be great disrespect if he didn’t start and on current form he’s just as good as Woj.
It’s a final – play your best team and forget about loyalties to players.
This is about winning and FA Cup final, not making everyone feel happy at a school sports day.
If Scz is most in form come final day then play him, if Fab is looking better than play him.
I would definitely pick Fab since he has had a storming Cup Run. Saved 2 penalties in the shootout and I still remember that brilliant display in the 2-1 win over the Mugsmashers. I think for what it is worth Fab deserves the chance. The best case is probably that we’re 5-0 up in the 90th minute and then Fab picks up a red and concedes a penalty. Szcz comes on and saves the penalty thus manages to pick up the trophy. Everyone’s happy right? Well maybe not… anyway just hope we win the cup above anything else. COYG
Fabianskí.
He’s earned it.
Doesn’t matter who ends up in goal if Abou Diaby makes his return. Our unfortunate opponents will be lucky to even get into our half with Abou in the side.
Pisses me off that anyone could even consider dropping Fabianski for the final. The manager would never even be given a chance to explain himself out should Szcesny fuck it up like he did vs Birmingham. But why? Why? If Szcesny wants any silverware, he should work for it period. No entitlements
Conversely, should Wenger play Fabianski in the final and he makes a clanger, Wenger will be hung drawn and quartered for not playing his No.1.
There are no entitlements, but as our No.1 keeper it appears to me that Szcz has done enough to earn his place in the final also.
Like blogs says, it’s a tough one. A lot tougher than your logic makes out.
Think it’s too sentimental saying Fabianski should play as it’s his last match – The team is more important so should be Szszney for me as he’s likely to stick around and would be more beneficial to us in the long run. However, if Wenger can somehow persuade Fabianski to sign on, then I’d be happy for him to play as there really isn’t much between the two of them
If Szczesny plays he would cost us the cup by getting sent off or making a massive howler.
Sorry Sczc but you had your chance a few years ago and it did not end well, Fabian has been Fabulous, he deservers his chance on goal, as least like you said the bottom line is winning so chin up
So, you’re saying we should never play Szcz in a cup final again because of a mistake he made when he was 20, having played a handful of games for us?
Right you are chap!
Fab has earned it; whether or not he’s leaving in the summer, he’s earned it.
Plus, if it goes down to penalties (which it won’t, we’ll win in regulation), I trust Fab.
I don’t know if I will ever get over the name Italiano Almuniano. I smile every time I think of that name.
Sub Szczesny for Fabianski in the 89th minute when we are 4-0 up 🙂
Fabianski played a very big role in getting us this far. It is only fair that he plays in the final. Who knows he may just change his mind about leaving.
Feel for Wojciech, but Fabianski deserves to start in the final as he’s a big reason why we’re there in the first place, not only for his penalties saved but also for his heroic performance against Liverpool.
Szczesny on the other hand will play in our CL final next year, that’ll do it. 😉
Fabianski should start…….
Fabianski for sure, without him, no fa cup final, he is the hero!
It has to be Fabianski all the way. Love Szczesny and all that but Fabianski has done all the had work. He deserves to play in the final.
Fabianski started the good FA cup ride and should be allowed to finish it. Please, please, please Shezney concentrate on the final games of the league for now.
Fabianski certainly to play. Cannot be dropped now after his brilliant performance got us there, that would be disrespectful. Szszney should get some time also cause he has also helped get us there and should experience winning and getting a medal as well.
after being patient as a sub,for his respect and performance for the club, lukasz has earned it.
Can’t help but think there’d be more pressure on sir ches if he was picked..knowing he’d kind of nicked a cup final off his mate plus some bad cup final memories.
If there is one (there’s probably more than one) thing this team seems to struggle with its pressure. Fab’s looked cucumber cool so far – he gets my nod.
I don’t see why we can’t do what Real Madrid do i.e. One goalkeeper playing all the league games and another playing both Champions League and domestic cup games. Both goalkeepers would remain sharp and be in constant competition with each other. Surely that’s only positive.
Most outfield players would only expect to play a maximum of two thirds of games. Why should the position of goalkeeper be different? I think some people are too obsessed with the idea of a “Number 1” who always plays.
You don’t get the experience of winning a trophy, if you haven’t earned it. Fab has been much better, should have replaced szczesny after the anfield embarrassment.
Who ever gets picked we need to ensure that Szczesny stops pushing his fingers through the back of Fabianski’s head like that before the final, head/hand morphing will only end in tears.
It’s not playing Fab instead of Szcz that has me worried
It’s Wegner’s cup preference for Sanogo and Monreal that scares me!
Citeh changed their keeper for the FA Cup final and karma detroyed them. Stick with Fab who’s played an incredible part of the campaign and anyway, a lot of people think he’s equally good or better than Szczesny. I like his demeanour more as well.
Real Madrid stuck with casillas in the cup games they won the copa del rey last night and are in the CL semis,We must stick with Fab in the FA cup Final and we’ll win it.Simple
WOW! I just realized, there is a team on Earth using Iker Casillas as its cup goalie!