Manuel Almunia out of Arsenal's clash with Partizan Belgrade with elbow injury

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 20:08 EST, 27 September 2010


After the backlash following Manuel Almunia's shocking display against West Bromwich, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has announced the under-fire keeper will not feature in the midweek Champions League clash - but insists it is purely due to injury. 

Polish stopper Lukasz Fabianski, 25, will take Almunia's place in the clash with Partizan Belgrade but Wenger moved quickly to quash talk the under-fire Spaniard had been dropped.

Almunia's horror show came as the Baggies picked up their first win over the Gunners in 27 years, prompting the home fans to boo their players following the 3-2 reversal at the Emirates.

Crashing down: Almunia up ends peter Odemwingie to concede a penalty

Crashing down: Almunia up-ends Peter Odemwingie to concede a penalty

The Spaniard conceded the first-half penalty by bringing down Odemwingie and was at fault for West Bromwich's second strike, as he failed to handle Jara's straightforward shot.

Can't watch: Almunia won't feature for Arsenal in Europe

Can't watch: Almunia won't feature for Arsenal in Europe

The mistakes added to the already expanding list of gaffes which have cost Arsenal dearly in European and domestic competitions.

But Wenger insisted his absence is purely due to injury: ‘We have Manual Almunia out. He has a problem with his elbow, he caught it when he made the penalty on Saturday.

‘The keeper is always the easy target, the easy scapegoat. But we win together and we lose together even if people think he made a mistake on the second goal.’

The Arsenal boss also announced that Kieran Gibbs will face a late fitness test before boarding the flight to Serbia following the injury he sustained during the Carling Cup win over Tottenham.

Deefat to Ronberto Di Matteo's side was the Gunners first home defeat since the Manchester United turned them over in January, and it keeps the club four points adrift of league leaders Chelsea.

Wenger has traditionally been one of the most protective managers in the Premier League, but did not hold back following the shock defeat.

'We got what we deserved,' said the Frenchman. 'We didn't deserve anything more. We were not good enough.'

'It's unexplainable. It was our first really bad performance of the season. I can't explain how flat we were. I didn't recognise my team.'

And Arsenal fans will hardly be boosted by news that Fabianski will be handed the No 1 jersey after the Pole's poor showing against Spurs last Tuesday.

Robbie Keane's shot from the edge of the box looked savable but the ball bobbled under the keeper's hands and into the back of the net.

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