West Ham United: Lukasz Fabianski offers one saving grace as Alphonse Areola update emerges

David Moyes will be extremely worried about the potential of facing Wolves without West Ham shot-stopper Alphonse Areola on Saturday (6 April).

The Frenchman has been a mainstay in the starting XI this season, starting 27 of the Hammers’ 31 league matches, missing the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Tuesday 2 April through injury.

Areola was forced off during the match before, a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday 30 March, having been spotted not being able to take goal kicks before the half-time whistle sounded.

Ahead of the Wolves clash at Molineux Stadium, Moyes has offered an injury update on his preferred goalkeeper, and it is not good news for West Ham.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Friday (5 April), the Scot was quoted by the club’s official website as saying: “[Areola] has got a tweak to his groin. We hope it’s not going to be too long, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Lukasz Fabianski set to start in West Ham United v Wolves

With a top-six spot in the Premier League at risk, with just seven matches of the campaign left to play, Hammers fans will be worried about the injury news surrounding Areola.

In his prime Lukasz Fabianski was a superb shot-stopper, but has been bound to the bench this season, mainly utilised in cup competitions to allow his teammate a rest.

Between the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, the Polish ‘keeper has eight starts to his name, with almost as many in the Europa League this season (7).

Having started the draw with Spurs, it would be understandable if fans are reluctant about the idea of Fabianski becoming the first-choice goalkeeper in Areola’s absence.

He was only able to maintain a 60 per cent passing accuracy at the London Stadium, as per FotMob, as well as completing just 53 per cent of his long balls forward.

In addition to this, compared to goalkeepers in the top five European leagues, Fabianski ranks in the bottom 33 percentile for save percentage and bottom 22 percentile for goals conceded. [FBref]

west ham
Credit: Imago

Despite these statistics, one number will serve as a saving grace in the former Arsenal ‘keeper’s favour. Fabianski ranks in the top 83 percentile for clean sheet percentage, boasting a clean sheet in 83 per cent of his matches.

Gary O’Neil’s side have only not scored in six matches this season, so the West Ham goalkeeper’s ability to keep clean sheets will be vital as the club aim for a European spot in the Premier League.

In other West Ham news, McAvennie shared a new David Moyes verdict.

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