Arsene Wenger has backed Lukasz Fabianski ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Arsenal boss has no qualms about keeper rising to the challenge
Arsene Wenger has backed Lukasz Fabianski ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Wenger will be forced to send out a patched-up defence against the Blues with Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Johan Djourou and Bacary Sagna all ruled out of Saturday's clash.
Youngster Kieran Gibbs is also a major doubt at Wembley and will undergo a late fitness test on the groin injury he sustained in the closing minutes of the Gunners' midweek UEFA Champions League win over Villarreal.
But Wenger feels Arsenal's makeshift rearguard is in safe hands with birthday boy Fabianski between the sticks.
Backing
"I rate him highly," the Gunners boss said of the Polish international, who turns 24 today. "He is intelligent and he reads the game well.
"Lukasz is brave and has all the ingredients to be successful in his position. I hope it will be a great day for him."
Wenger has warned Arsenal's defence will have to be on their toes against Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, who is back in form and will be out to continue his own personal good record facing the Gunners.
He said: "Didier Drogba is a fighter. I believe that we want to make sure that we combat with him and certainly one of the keys will be to keep him quiet."
Attack
Despite their defensive concerns, Wenger believes Arsenal have no other way to approach the game than with their usual quick-passing, forward-thinking style.
"You know how we play. We will not sit back and wait for Chelsea to make the game. We will go in there and try to dictate the game," the Gunners boss continued.
"If you say that we have too many players at the moment going forward it is because many of them were out and we discovered those who came in are very good as well.
"But do not forget that two or three months ago, people were saying, 'You cannot score goals, you don't have enough offensive weapons'.
"We show now that we have the players and the confidence."
