Lukasz Fabianski has suggested that losing Craig Dawson through suspension for West Ham United’s clash with Arsenal is a ‘massive blow’.
The 31-year-old centre-back was the only senior centre-back that David Moyes had at his disposal for yesterday’s clash with Chelsea, with Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma and Issa Diop all out injured.
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Dawson has been sensational for West Ham since moving to the London Stadium and he was brilliant once again at Stamford Bridge yesterday afternoon.
It all ended in tears for Dawson and the Hammers though.
The West Ham centre-back brought Romelu Lukaku down inside the box and was subsequently sent off with just a few minutes remaining.
Jorginho missed the penalty but Chelsea made their one-man advantage count in the end with Christian Pulisic scoring the winner in injury time.
It was a hugely disappointing defeat in the end and losing big Daws to suspension rubbed salt into the wounds…
Lukasz Fabianski bemoans Craig Dawson suspension
The 37-year-old goalkeeper would have been really disappointed to lose the game to a Christian Pulisic goal in the end, after having saved Jorginho’s spot kick just a few minutes earlier.
Losing Dawson for a game through suspension would have been bad news even if Moyes had other centre-backs to choose from.
Fabianski spoke to WHUFC.com after the game and deliver this verdict on losing Craig Dawson to suspension:
“Losing Craig is a massive blow because, looking at our situation, he was our only out-and-out centre-back that we had. To lose him is a bit of a blow but we also showed we could manage it, in terms of the way we played. It’s a difficult moment for us but I’m sure we’ll come out okay.”
Because it was a professional foul, Dawson will be punished with a one game suspension only. So it’s not the end of the world, but having him unavailable for the Arsenal game is clearly a big blow nonetheless.
All eyes turn to Thursday night now where West Ham will play host to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first-leg of the Europa League semi-finals.
Dawson will be available for that game of course and hopefully we have enough to beat the Bundesliga side.
A Europa League victory would certainly put the defeat to Chelsea behind us.
The Craig Dawson suspension will undoubtedly hurt us against Arsenal next weekend, however.
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