Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski out for rest of season

Fabianski hurt his shoulder in the warm-up before facing Man City in January

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

The 25-year-old Poland international has not played since Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Manchester City on 5 January.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "We had bad news for Fabianski because he needs surgery on his shoulder.

"He [Fabianski] has decided after having seen a few specialists that he will have surgery in Germany - this means his season is over."

Fabianski had firmly established himself in Arsenal's starting XI this season, taking over the number one role when Manuel Almunia suffered an ankle in September.

606: DEBATE Fabianski may struggle to get the number one spot back given Szczesny is now filling the role and improving with every game gunner_paul68

Since Fabianski's injury last month, youngster Wojciech Szczesny has started seven of Arsenal's last eight matches and impressed his manager in the process.

Szczesny made way for Almunia on Sunday when the Spaniard played against Huddersfield in the FA Cup - his first game for four months.

But the 20-year-old was restored to the starting line-up against Everton on Tuesday, and Wenger said: "The competition for places at the moment will be between Wojciech and Almunia."

The Frenchman did reveal, however, that "Wojciech will play the next game" against Newcastle United on Saturday in the Premier League.