'Focused' Fabianski keen to cement spot at Gunners

Jim van Wijk

Lukasz Fabianski will stay focused on the job in hand as he looks to cement his place as Arsenal's number one.

The Pole has grown in stature since deputising for injured Manuel Almunia, who suffered an elbow problem which sidelined him after the defeat to West Brom on September 25.

However, Almunia, 33, is nearing a return, although that is unlikely to be in time for Sunday's Premier League visit of Newcastle.

Fabianski produced another competent display during the 2-1 Champions League defeat away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had long championed the potential of the 25-year-old, despite some previous high-profile blunders, and declared everyone was now seeing the real Fabianski.

The Arsenal keeper, though, will continue to concentrate on producing consistent displays rather than worrying about if he can stay in the side on a more permanent basis.

"I always say my only thing is to keep working hard and try to play as best as I can, to try to help the team," Fabianski said.

"You have to just keep working hard and hopefully it will pay off."

"Even when there was a difficult time for me, I was always focused on my job or I was always working hard. I just want to stay focused."

Arsenal head out to Braga later this month, before a final home game against whipping boys Partizan Belgrade completes Arsenal's group stage games.

Fabianski insisted that Arsenal were still on course for the knockout stages.

"We are in a really good position. We will be playing again at home so we have to take advantage of that," he said.

Meanwhile, Arsenal expect to have captain Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) available against Newcastle United.