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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fabianski relishing Blues test

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is "ready for Chelsea" after a fine display for Arsenal against Partizan Belgrade.

The 25-year-old repaid the faith of manager Arsene Wenger with two late saves, one from a penalty, as Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent winning start to Champions League Group H with a hard-earned 3-1 victory in Serbia.
It was the team's first European away win for more than a year and Fabianski could be set to keep his place in goal this weekend.
Regular number one Manuel Almunia, himself under the spotlight after a below-par display in the shock home Barclays Premier League defeat to West Bromwich Albion last weekend, is again doubtful for Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge because of an elbow injury.
Fabianski has been behind Almunia in the Arsenal ranks since arriving from Legia Warsaw during May 2007.
Wenger has always backed the young Pole and wore a broad smile after claiming the real Fabianski showed up at Stadion FK Partisan.
Fabianski, though, remains focused on the job at hand.
"Overall, I am pleased with my performance," said the Pole, who also had to deal with a summer of speculation as Arsenal looked to bring in veteran Australian Mark Schwarzer from Fulham.
"I am not talking about just saves, but reading the game, coming for crosses or playing with my feet.
"Every aspect of goalkeeping is important for me, so I am pleased with my performance in general."
Fabianski declared: "I am ready to play against Chelsea. I was always ready, so we will see.
"I was never really bothered by all the things said. I was always trying to focus on my job and my work.
"That is what I was always doing and that why I am grounded."
There could have been a tense finale against 10-man Partizan had Fabianski not kept out a late penalty from Cleo, who had earlier stroked a spot-kick past the Pole to level 12 minutes before half-time.
The Arsenal goalkeeper also denied substitute Ivica Iliev with what was arguably a more impressive save in stoppage time.
Fabianski celebrated wildly in front of the 1,000 travelling Arsenal supporters behind his goal after diving full stretch to push the penalty around the right-hand post.
It was a significant moment in both the tie and perhaps Fabianski's Arsenal career.
"We could not be sure what would happen if it went 3-2," he reflected.
"There were four minutes left and they could just throw all their players up front and do everything possible to score a goal, but luckily I saved the penalty and the game was easier to finish."
The challenges, though, continue to come thick and fast for Wenger's young side.
Before the short journey to Chelsea, Arsenal will check on the fitness of captain Cesc Fabregas, who is struggling to shake off a hamstring problem, as well as centre-half Thomas Vermaelen, out since the international break with an Achilles injury.
The Blues also lost last weekend, at Manchester City, and Fabianski feels Arsenal can travel across to west London with renewed confidence.
"We are playing really well this season," he said.
"The beginning was really good for us. There was a big shock on Saturday when we lost, but I think you could see against Partizan that we had learned some things from Saturday.
"The performance was much better so we are looking forward to the Chelsea game.
"It is going to be an exciting one to watch, and we are in good condition."

Hernandez encouraged by first goal

Javier Hernandez believes his first competitive goal for Manchester United will provide the boost he needs.

The £7m Mexican came off the bench to score an 85th-minute winner for United in the Champions League win over Valencia on Wednesday night.
It was only the Red Devils' second triumph in 19 attempts against Spanish opposition on Spanish soil and more importantly put them back on track for a place in the last 16 after a stuttering start to their campaign against Glasgow Rangers a fortnight ago. And for Hernandez, it was a goal to savour.
"The goal will give me so much confidence," he said.
"I am only at the start of my career with United and to score so early in the Champions League is a big boost.
"I always used to watch the Champions League when I was back home in Mexico.
"It is one of the most important tournaments in the world, so I was always keeping up with it.
"It is great to be a Manchester United player and I want that to continue for a long time."
Not surprisingly, Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted too, choosing quite an appropriate way to describe the art of scoring for a player nicknamed 'Little Pea'.
"The way he took his chance, it was like shelling peas," said Ferguson. "It was so natural to him.
"Of course, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar (Berbatov) were the natural choices at the start of the season, which has meant Javier has not had a lot of football.
"But he is young and he is developing his game and doing good work in the gymnasium. He still has work to do in that aspect of his physique but you cannot take away from the fact that he is a fantastic finisher."

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Messi on his best



Lionell Messi scores 47 goals in all competition in the season 2009-2010, the highest record of all time .

Greater and bigger Nepal