Łukasz Fabiański

Łukasz Fabiański

Fabiański with Poland in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Łukasz Fabiański[1]
Date of birth	18 April 1985[1]
Place of birth	Kostrzyn nad Odrą, Poland
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	Swansea City
Number	1
Youth career
1999–2000	Polonia Słubice
2000–2001	MSP Szamotuły
2001–2002	Lubuszanin Drezdenko
2002–2003	Sparta Brodnica
2003–2004	Mieszko Gniezno
2004–2005	Lech Poznań
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2007	Legia Warsaw	53	(0)
2007–2014	Arsenal	32	(0)
2014–	Swansea City	87	(0)
National team^‡
2006–	Poland	38	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:00, 26 November 2016 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:08, 11 November 2016 (UTC)

Łukasz Fabiański (Polish pronunciation: [ˈwukaʂ faˈbʲaɲskʲi]; born 18 April 1985) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Swansea City and the Poland national team.

Having begun his career at Legia Warsaw, Fabiański joined Arsenal for £2.1 million in 2007, and was mainly used as back-up, but played as the club won the 2014 FA Cup Final. On the expiration of his contract in 2014, he joined Swansea.

A full international for the Polish national team since 2006, Fabiański has represented his country on over 30 occasions and was included in the squads for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2008.

Club career

Early career

Fabiański was born in Kostrzyn nad Odrą.^[1] After starting his career with Polonia Słubice, Fabiański joined the noted independent football academy MSP Szamotuły when he was 14 years old, where he honed his footballing skills.^[3] Fabiański then was signed in the 2004–05 season by Lech Poznań.

Legia Warszawa

In the winter of 2005, Fabiański was signed by Legia Warszawa, where he competed with Artur Boruc for a place in the team. After Boruc was sold to Celtic, Fabiański took over as starting goalkeeper in the 24 July 2005 game against Arka Gdynia, which ended 0–0. He helped Legia win the Polish league championship in the following 2005–06 season.

In the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, his performances led to him being awarded the "Football Oscar" for the best goalkeeper in the Polish Ekstraklasa.^[3]

Arsenal

On 8 May 2007, Fabiański underwent medical tests in London after Arsenal agreed a fee with Legia Warszawa worth about £2.1 million.^[4] with the move confirmed on 11 May 2007 by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.^[5] Fabiański formally signed for Arsenal on 26 May 2007 with a long-term contract.^[6] He made his debut for Arsenal in the League Cup against Sheffield United and was captain for the game. Arsenal won the match 3–0, with two goals from Eduardo and another from Denilson.

In his early Arsenal career, two of his most notable appearances came in the 5–1 defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the 2007–08 League Cup semi-final and the first leg of the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League second round match with FC Porto. Fabiański received criticism for conceding soft goals in the Porto match as he scored an own goal and was blamed for the second goal after picking up a backpass from Sol Campbell and Porto scored from the resulting free kick.^[7] In January 2010, Arsène Wenger stated that Łukasz Fabiański could become one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.^[8]

Fabiański played the last four games for Arsenal in the 2009–10 season as number 1 goalkeeper Manuel Almunia suffered a wrist injury. He was criticised for conceding soft goals in the defeats to Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, but kept clean sheets in the games at home to Manchester City and Fulham.^[9]

2010–11 season

Fabiański playing for Arsenal in 2010

Fabiański started the 2010–11 season as the second choice goalkeeper. On 21 September 2010, he made his first start of the season in a Football League Cup match against neighbours Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane which Arsenal won 4–1 after extra time. Fabiański almost cost the game for Arsenal, he failed to stop Robbie Keane's long range effort, despite getting a hand to the shot. After the game, he revealed that he was disappointed. He had a solid game in his second match of the season replacing the injured Manuel Almunia one week later in a Champions League 3–1 away win against FK Partizan. He saved Cléo's second penalty of the game in the second half to deny FK Partizan a lifeline. He later turned Ivica Iliev's effort around the post from point-blank range just before the final whistle. Arsène Wenger later commented that Fabiański had a "faultless" game and they finally saw the player who they usually see in training. He kept his first clean sheet in a win over Manchester City where he made many saves in a game that ended 3–0. He was later named man of the match, on an Arsenal.com poll, after a brilliant display to keep Arsenal in the game.^[10] After the City game, Wenger admitted that he could well become the club's number one goalkeeper, after impressive displays in the games since the Partizan match.^[11]

On 7 November 2010, Fabiański was widely criticised for an error that lead to the only goal as Arsenal lost at home to Newcastle United. This led to supporters and fans of rival clubs giving him the nickname 'Flappy Handski' because he could not keep hold of the ball.^[12][13] However, he produced a strong display to keep a clean sheet in the next Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, in which he managed to prevent a draw with a last-minute save, and then initiating a counter-attack with a long throw of the ball that lead to another Arsenal goal.^[14] After the Wolverhampton match, Arsenal played Everton, where Fabiański received the man of the match award from Sky Sports.^[15]

Fabiański was injured for Arsenal's crucial match with Manchester United but returned for the equally important match with London rivals Chelsea, making many crucial saves in helping Arsenal to win 3–1.^[16] On 5 January 2011, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury as he was warming up with the help of Wojciech Szczęsny which ruled him out for the rest of the 2010–11 season.^[17] During this period, Szczęsny established himself as Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper ahead of his Polish compatriot.

2011–12 season

Fabiański warming up before a match against Chelsea on 21 April 2012

Fabiański spent the 2011–12 season as backup to Wojciech Szczęsny, making his first appearance against Shrewsbury in the Football League Cup.

On 6 December 2011, he was selected to start in Arsenal's Champions League group stage match against Olympiacos but was substituted after 25 minutes with a knee injury.^[18]

2012–13 season

Injuries limited Fabiański's appearances during the 2012–13 season where he made only five Premier League appearances as back-up to Wojciech Szczęsny. In March 2013, after Szczęsny was dropped, Fabiański started in goal in the second-leg of Arsenal's Champions League tie against Bayern Munich. He kept a clean sheet as Arsenal won 2–0 and retained his place in the team to make his first Premier League start of the season away against Swansea City on 16 March 2013, again keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win. Fabiański started in Arsenal's next three league games against Reading, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City. However, an injury sustained in the match against Norwich by Fabiański allowed Szczęsny to return to the starting line-up and reclaim his position as first choice goalkeeper.

2013–14 season

During the 2013–14 season, Fabiański was used as Arsenal's starting goalkeeper in FA Cup and Football League Cup matches, with Wojciech Szczęsny remaining first choice in Premier League and Champions League matches.

On 19 February 2014, Fabiański came on as a substitute in the 37th minute of a 2–0 Champions League home defeat against Bayern Munich, after Szczęsny was sent off for a foul on Arjen Robben. With Szczęsny suspended, Fabiański was in the starting line-up for the second leg and saved a late penalty from Bayern's Thomas Müller.

On 12 April, he saved penalties from Gary Caldwell and Jack Collison in an FA Cup semi-final shootout victory over Wigan Athletic.^[19] He made his only Premier League appearance of the season in the last game on 11 May, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 away win that caused his opponents Norwich City to be relegated.^[20] Six days later, Fabiański started for Arsenal in the 2014 FA Cup Final as they beat Hull City 3–2 after extra-time at Wembley Stadium.^[21]

Swansea City

On 29 May 2014, it was announced that Fabiański would join fellow Premier League side Swansea City on a free transfer when his Arsenal contract expired on 1 July. He said of the transfer: "The main reason I came to Swansea was because I want to be the number one goalkeeper".^[22] He made his competitive debut for the club on 16 August, a 2–1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the first game of the season.^[23]

Fabiański was sent off in Swansea's 1–3 loss at West Ham United on 7 December 2014 for a foul on Diafra Sakho.^[24]

On 11 May 2015, Fabiański kept a clean sheet and was named man of the match in a 1–0 win against Arsenal on his return to the Emirates Stadium.^[25]

On 6 July 2015, Fabiański signed a new four-year contract with Swansea, which would keep him at the club until June 2019.^[26]

International career

Fabiański playing for Poland against Portugal at Euro 2016

Having represented Poland regularly at under-21 level, Fabiański's performances for Legia Warszawa saw him soon making his debut for the senior international team in a friendly against Saudi Arabia on 29 March 2006.^[6]

He was included in Poland's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, serving as back-up to Artur Boruc and Tomasz Kuszczak. During the qualifying campaign for the UEFA Euro 2008, he made one appearance, playing all 90 minutes in Poland's 2–2 away draw against Serbia on 21 November 2007.^[27] In September 2008, Fabiański replaced the suspended Boruc for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia. He also played in another qualifying match against San Marino in April 2009.

Career statistics

Last updated 12 May 2016

Club	Season	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Champions League		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lech Poznań	2004–05[28]	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Legia Warsaw	2005–06[29]	30	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	32	0
	2006–07[30]	23	0	1	0	0	0	6	0	30	0
Legia Warsaw total		53	0	2	0	0	0	8	0	63	0
Arsenal	2007–08[31]	3	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	8	0
	2008–09[32]	6	0	6	0	3	0	3	0	18	0
	2009–10[33]	4	0	2	0	2	0	2	0	10	0
	2010–11[34]	14	0	0	0	1	0	5	0	20	0
	2011–12[35]	0	0	2	0	3	0	1	0	6	0
	2012–13[36]	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	5	0
	2013–14[37]	1	0	6	0	2	0	2	0	11	0
Arsenal total		32	0	16	0	16	0	14	0	78	0
Swansea City	2014–15[38]	37	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	38	0
	2015–16[39]	37	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	37	0
Swansea total		74	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	75	0
Career total		159	0	19	0	16	0	22	0	217	0

Honours

Club

Legia Warszawa

• Ekstraklasa: 2005–06^[40]

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2013–14^[41]

Individual

• Best Goalkeeper of Polish Ekstraklasa: 2005–06, 2006–07

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
2. "Player Profile: Łukasz Fabiański". Premier League. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
3. Szczepanik, Nick (11 May 2007). "Poland's new goalkeeping union not keen to send in the clowns". The Times. London. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
4. O'Rourke, Peter (9 May 2007). "Gunners to pick up Pole". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 May 2007.
5. Richard Clarke (11 May 2007). "Wenger: Fabianski is set to sign". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2007.
6. "Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski joins Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. 26 May 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
7. Martin Blackburn (19 April 2010). "Flappyhandski 'not to blame'". London: The Sun. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
8. Arsenal boss Wenger: Fabianski can be among the best | Premiership News. tribalfootball.com (24 January 2010).
9. Niall McGlone (17 February 2010). "Porto 2–1 Arsenal: Lukasz Fabiański errors hand Portuguese side the edge". Goal.com. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
10. 'We saw the Fabianski we see in training' | News. Arsenal.com (28 September 2010).
11. Arsene Wenger admits Lukasz Fabianski could displace Manuel Almunia as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper. Goal.com.
12. "Fabianski Mistake Hands Newcastle Surprise Win". MinistryOf Glove.com. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
13. "Toon Shock Arsenal". Eurosport. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
14. "Chamakh brace sinks Wolves". Sky Sports. 10 November 2010.
15. "Everton v Arsenal match report". Sky Sports.
16. McNulty, Phil (27 December 2010). "Arsenal 3 – 1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
17. "Op to sideline Fabianski for season". ESPNsoccernet. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
18. "Olympiakos 3 - 1 Arsenal". BBC. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
19. "Wigan 1-1 Arsenal". BBC. 12 April 2014.
20. Osborne, Chris (11 May 2014). "Norwich 0-2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
21. "Aaron Ramsey's extra-time winner ensured Arsenal ended their nine-year wait for a trophy by coming from two goals behind to beat Hull City in a dramatic FA Cup final at Wembley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
22. "Lukasz Fabianski leaves Arsenal to join Swansea City on free transfer". BBC Sport. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
23. Bevan, Chris (16 August 2014). "Man Utd 1-2 Swansea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
24. Rose, Gary (7 December 2014). "West Ham 3-1 Swansea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
25. "Lukasz Fabianski says Swansea's win over Arsenal was not personal". BSkyB. 11 May 2015.
26. "Fabianski signs 4 year deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
27. "Serbien gegen Polen 2:2" (in German). Fussballdaten. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
28. "Łukasz Fabiański - Sezon 2004/05" (in Polish). 90minut.pl.
29. "Łukasz Fabiański - Sezon 2005/06" (in Polish). 90minut.pl.
30. "Łukasz Fabiański - Sezon 2006/07". 90minut.pl.
31. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
32. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
33. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
34. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
35. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
36. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
37. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
38. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
39. "Games played by Łukasz Fabiański in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
40. "Lukas Fabiański". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
41. "L. Fabiański". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 May 2015.

External links

• Arsenal.com profile
• Łukasz Fabiański career statistics at Soccerbase
  
• Lukasz Fabianski's national team stats on the website of the Polish Football Association (Polish)