Arsene Wenger believes that Lukasz Fabianski has had a “complete mental transformation” over the past year.
The Polish international had not played a game for the Club in more than a year before starting against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
Wenger was delighted with the 27-year-old’s composed display, which included key saves from Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller, and the manager believes Fabianski is now a more mature player.
“He played with authority. We know his talent and I’m very happy with his performance,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“He has changed a lot, there has been a complete mental transformation in Lukasz's attitude. He is more vocal, has more authority and mentally he absorbs the pressure of the game much better.
“He has a huge talent, which we know all about. Sometimes to go out of the game for a while helps people to mature and think about their own game. If they really want to become a better player, they think, 'How can I become better'.
“I think it is a combination of both [working with him and his own maturity] but I would give him 90 per cent of the credit. He works on all the aspects of his game.”
Wenger admits that the mental side of the game is often what separates the very best players from the rest.
“Top-level sportsmen are always under pressure because they live with the job for 24 hours a day and think about it,” he said. “There are some who live for only two hours with their job, but they never become great players.
“In the longer-term, that makes the difference. It has to always be with you.”
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