Partizan Review, Flapless Fab states his case.

Great result all round for Arsenal, 3 points to take home, good performances to build confidence and a solid goalkeeping performance from Fabianski.

I said yesterday that it would be a tough game, and it was. Partizan Belgrade moved forward well and our defence looked rocky at best. Partizan looked the most likely to score until a lovely run from Arshavin on 14 minutes ended in a ball to Wilshere which was beautifully back-heeled back to Arshavin who finished well to put us 1-0 up.

After the goal we were in complete control, creating loads of chances but failed to convert any. Rosciky had a great chance from 8 yards and was only stopped by a the keeper Stojkovic, who was in great form, and Arshavin had a gorgeous chip over the keeper cleared off the line.

We dominated the play until a cross from Partizan's left hit Denilson's upper arm and although it seemed harsh, if it was us claiming the penalty we would have said it was stone-wall. Cleo stepped up and sent Fabianski the wrong way to make it 1-1.

Partizan then had the best of the ball until half time and to be honest I was happy to hear the whistle.  HALF TIME 1-1.

The second half plodded along quietly until Arshavin slotted a perfectly weighted ball in for Chamakh to move into the area only to be brought down by Jovanovic who was rightly shown a red card as the last man. Chamakh seemed to be away with the fairies for most of the night and he made the most of what little contact there was, but there was contact.

Arshavin stepped up to take the penalty and went for power but Stojkovic saved.

We failed to make our extra man count for a long time after the red card and I was starting to think it was going to be one of those nights and become frustrated at the way we seem to be unable to play against 10 men.

All that frustration went away on 70 minutes when Rosciky, who had a mixed night, floated in a great cross that Chamakh met with his head, the ball took a deflection and hit the bar but Chamakh was switched on enough to be first to the rebound to head it in for 2-1.

Squillaci then picked up his first Arsenal goal with a pin point header from a Samir Nasri corner to make it 3-1 on 82 minutes to secure our first away win in Europe for over a year and to place us nicely on the top of our group.

The ref however, decided that the game didn't have enough drama so he gave another soft penalty against Gibbs just a minute later. Step up FABianski, a fantastic diving save to his right to prevent Cleo scoring his second penalty of the night. Fabianski then made another great save to his left in injury time. FULL TIME 3-1.

A good night for everyone but in particular, Lukasz Fabianski. He was solid in everything he did during the game, comfortable catches, simple shot stops, good positioning and a penalty save just to put the cherry on top.

This result is exactly what Arsenal needed to pick up the mood before a vital game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Fab or Flap? It's your call Lukasz!

OK, picture the scene.

You are a 22 year old goalkeeper plying your trade playing for a a little club called Legia Warsaw when one of the top clubs in Europe with one of the most respected Managers in the world comes calling for your services, your club accepts the offer and the transfer gets completed, you are now playing for the almighty Arsenal FC under Arsene Wenger, life could not be much better. You wait patiently as keepers sit ahead of you until you become the club's number 2. Then, it happens, your mate Almunia gets injured and you get a small run in the team and even a day out at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi-final. You wake up that morning dreaming of the name you can make for yourself, the game arrives with your fans cheering when your name is announced. LIFE IS GOOD! Then your team go 1 - 0 up. LIFE IS GREAT. Then towards the end of the game, the opposition defender boots a long ball down field, it been a quiet game for you so so you run out to collect the ball and start another attack, you pull your right foot back, swing, and then.............Oh crap, where's the ball gone? Look around and Drogba has just scored while you're in no man's land. You lose the game and the chance of playing in an FA cup final, you have a string of dreadful mistakes, a few more terrible performances pretty much help to guarantee your club ends another season with no silver ware. Another season, another chance, you're still the club's number 2, you failed to take your chance, Now, your third season starts and the number 1 position is firmly up for grabs, your mate again gets an injury and you are called up to play in goal in the Champions League.............. How would you like the story to end?

Unfortunately the only one who can decide that is Lukasz Fabianski. He has a chance to prove how good a keeper he is again tonight as we play Partizan Belgrade. There is a lot of pressure on the young man's shoulders as he has an opportunity to show he should be our number keeper. He shouldn't have too much to cope with tonight but think he'll do enough to keep a clean sheet

I get the feeling tonight will be a harder game than it should be on paper, although no team in this competition should be under estimated, Arsenal should - on paper - be able to dominate all three of the other teams in our group but an away trip to any European team on a cold night will be difficult.

Arsene should field a strong side tonight but I'm sure he will be thinking about Chelsea at the weekend so he'll be hoping for a big lead by the hour mark so he can rest some stars. We need a win tonight but more importantly a decent performance by every one of our players, we can not go to Stamford Bridge low on confidence, if we do we will be beaten before we arrive.

Gibbs is back and I think he'll get a start partly for him to get game time but also to rest Clichy for Chelsea. Chamakh should start and I expect Arshavin will join him up front and Eboue will get the chance to make up for a dismal display againt West Brom. Hopefully Nasri will be given the chance to shine again in the attacking midfield 'Fabregas' role and I expect Wilshere will start along side him.

My predicted line-up

Fabianski


Sagna - Squillaci - Koscielny - Gibbs

Song


Wilshere - Nasri


Eboue - Arshavin


Chamakh



Score: Partizan Belgrade 0 - 3 Arsenal

Now, I admit I know pretty much naff all about Partizan Belgrade but I do know that they are doing very well in their domestic league and will be full of confidence but in fairness they play in an average league at best so we should come out on top. (Then again, I said that on Saturday too)

Come on Arsenal!! Come on Lukasz!!

Goonerfish.