Horrible Lukasz Fabianski injury leaves West Ham United door open for Alphonse Areola
Lukasz Fabianski suffered a fractured eye socket and cheekbone in the weekend thumping West Ham United win over Nottingham Forest.
Fabianski has started every league game this season for the Hammers and his injury leaves the door open for his talented understudy Alphonse Areola to make his mark.
Journalist Jonty Colman described Fabianski’s injury as “horrible” and a “needless incident” with the goalkeeper possibly needing surgery.
“A horrible injury for Lukasz Fabianski, one of only three players to start every league game this season,” said Colman on Twitter. (28 February, 10:53 AM)
“Could undergo surgery after a fracture cheekbone and eye socket. Such a needless incident too.”
Perfect chance.
Whilst Fabianski’s injury is obviously horrible, the talented and underused Areola now has his chance to cement a place in David Moyes’ starting XI.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper has proven that he can be that guy for West Ham United in the few appearances given to him by Moyes since his arrival at the London Stadium.
It’s bizarre that the FIFA World Cup winner hasn’t been given more of a chance, especially considering how Fabianski is now in the twilight years of his career.
Nevertheless, the Poles’ injury has provided the Frenchman with an unexpected and fantastic opportunity to show Moyes he can be the Irons’ number-one man.
Hopefully, Moyes will give Areola the chance he deserves, despite the goalkeeper’s recent cryptic Instagram message which was seen as a potential dig at the Scot.
ExWHUemployee highlighted the message on The West Ham Way podcast (20 February), claiming that whilst he didn’t know if Areola’s message was directed at Moyes, there are a few players who are “frustrated” at the Hammers.
Will this affect any decision Moyes makes surrounding who will replace Fabianski? Who knows.