Arsenal’s Lukasz Fabianski is relishing the battle with fellow Pole Wojciech Szczesny to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The 28-year-old was a surprise inclusion for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against German champions Bayern Munich in March, and then went on to help his side to five consecutive wins.
A rib injury afforded Szczesny the chance to regain his place in the team, but Fabianski is confident he can displace his younger compatriot again now he has returned to full fitness.
“I’m hoping that it’s going to go my way,” he told Arsenal Player.
“I’m feeling really positive about it. I feel that I’m a better keeper than I was. I feel really confident in myself.
“I put in a lot of work to be fit again, to be stronger. I’m not worried about anything and I think I’ve made a statement that I’m up for it.”
After losing the first leg of their last-16 tie 3-1 at home, Arsenal travelled to Munich with the Germans in rampant form.
But with Fabianski in goal, the London side won 2-0 on the night, forcing Bayern to rely on away goals to seal their place in the quarter-final draw.
And he took confidence from his own display as well as the performance of his team-mates.
“I had a chance to play my first game against Bayern Munich on the big stage and as a team we did really well,” he said.
“I helped the team as well. I’m really happy that I was back, fit again and that I had a chance to show myself on the big stage.
“It’s just getting that feeling of playing good again, getting the result and that always gives you a positive feeling about yourself for the next game. It gave me a boost but I was confident even before the game.”
With Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger rumoured to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper this summer, Fabianski will be keen to assert himself in the final two games of the season, starting against Wigan at home on Tuesday.
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