Lukasz Fabianski admits he did not seize his chance in the Arsenal team when Manuel Almunia was injured.
Gunners keeper happy at the club
Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski admits he was frustrated not to seize his chance in the team when Manuel Almunia was injured.
Almunia, the Gunners' first-choice shot-stopper, had to sit out a spell on the sidelines earlier in the season but Fabianski missed out on moving into the starting XI with a knee problem.
Vito Mannone stepped in between the sticks and played well for Arsene Wenger's side, and Fabianski admits the timing was bad for him.
"The timing was bad for me (when Almunia was injured) and I could say that it should have been different, but now I look at that very calmly," he said. "You have to make smart conclusions.
"I have had two years of great experience and even my bad injury helped me a lot.
"Some positives came out of the bad times and I was honestly surprised.
"I used that time really well because during that period I was at some stages really frustrated, but then I changed my way of looking at the situation and at the end it made me a better person."
The Poland international has now fully recovered from his injury and could play for Arsenal against Stoke in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Positive
The 24-year-old extended his contract at the Emirates last summer and says that although first-team chances are hard to come by, he is enjoying his time at the club.
"It is really good to be in such a big club. I am still improving and that is a good thing," he added.
"I signed a new contract and I feel really, really good here. For me it is important to fight for that first-team place.
"I am fighting really hard and it can take time to get there (to the No.1 spot), but when I get there I will really appreciate it because then it will be my time."
Wenger has also come out and backed the young keeper, saying: "I believe he will be an outstanding goalkeeper, one of the best."
