The 23-year-old has been warming the bench for most of the campaign.

Fabianski's only appearance in the Premier League came when he replaced a concussed Almunia for the closing stages of the 2-1 win over Manchester United in November - although he had stood in when the Spaniard was taken ill before the European match against Fenerbahce a few days earlier.

With chances of further progress leading a young Gunners side in the Carling Cup halted by defeat at Burnley in the last round, Fabianski - who played against the Republic of Ireland in their recent 3-2 win at Croke Park - has seen his hopes of more first-team action, injury aside, now resting in an extended FA Cup run.

Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger believes Fabianski is "pushing very hard" to be first choice between the posts - and the Pole, signed in May 2007, is determined to give his manager a selection headache.

"I try to stay positive. I am always working hard in training, preparing myself as best as I can for the games, so we will see what happens," said Fabianski, who helped Arsenal book a fourth-round trip to Cardiff by beating Championship side Plymouth 3-1 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

"Maybe in the future I will get more chances. I think I am doing well in training and I am trying to be really close to being first choice.

"I hope in the future I will get what I am working for."

Fabianski added in the official Arsenal matchday programme: "You have to be patient - especially for me, because before I came to Arsenal I was playing regularly as the first-choice goalkeeper at Legia Warsaw.

"Since I came here, I have had to show that I am ready to fight for my place.

"I am fighting really hard, and hope the future will be mine."

There is great mutual respect between the two stoppers - with Almunia having taken on the mantle of number one from veteran German Jens Lehmann last season.

"Manuel is being our leader on the pitch and is trying to help the team as much as he can," added Fabianski.

"I think every goalkeeper needs to have that type of personality.

"You have to have a really, really big character to play in goal anyway - and want to be responsible for the team."

Arsenal return to league action at home to Bolton next weekend - having slipped out of the top four, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Fabianski nonetheless insists Wenger's squad can make their critics eat a rather large slice of humble pie come May.

"What is around outside does not affect us, but maybe we are even more motivated because of that," Fabianski told Arsenal TV Online.

"Even before the season, some people were saying we were not good enough to win the championship - that is only motivation for us to prove it on the pitch that they are wrong."

Wenger has money to spend should he wish to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window - but maintains business will be done only for an "exceptional talent".

That could yet be £20million-rated Russian Andrei Arshavin, with the Arsenal manager indicating he would not be put off should the right man be available even if he were cup-tied for the Champions League.

The future of defender Kolo Toure remains unclear, Manchester City linked for a £10million move - despite Wenger insisting the Ivory Coast international will remain.

Portsmouth's Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar is another who is said to be on Wenger's radar, although the south-coast club are now under no extra financial pressure to sell.

Torino, meanwhile, have ruled out playmaker Alessandro Rosina being allowed to join Arsenal on loan.