Goalkeeper Vito Mannone wants to stay at Arsenal.
The 23-year-old Italian shot-stopper spent last season out on loan at Championship side Hull City, where he made 10 appearances, but is now determined to fight for the number one spot at the Emirates.
Mannone stated:
‘It’s going well. I’m focused here.
‘I’m having a good pre-season with Arsenal and I’m trying to fight hard for the place.’
The young goalkeeper added:
‘I’ve enjoyed pre-season – there is a bit more focus on the training and the fans have been incredible, especially when we went to Asia.’
The Italian Under-21 international has been with The Gunners for almost 6 years now and has made just 9 appearances for the north London club – 8 of which were during the 2009/10 season.
Mannone certainly has potential, but will he be Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper this upcoming season? I don’t think so.
Following a string of terrific performances last season, I, along with other I’m sure, believe Wojciech Szczesny has earned the right to guard our goal this season, with the returning Lukasz Fabianski just behind him in the pecking order.
Mannone could possible push Fabianski for the second choice slot, but do I see him cementing a first-team place week in week out this season at Arsenal? Honestly, my answer would have to be no.
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There’s something about Mannone. He did very well last season when fit, so I hear, and kept a lot of clean sheets. You never know, he may take over in the long run afterall, or maybe we’ll end up in a situation where we have two or three keepers who will battle it out over the coming years, and we’ll never really know which is the better one.
His a good keeper and i think he can make 2nd place but not 1st!
u will b d no 1 bcos u possess all d quality of a keeper……….
I or one believe Vito is our best keeper. while he manned the post we won most of our match hardly conceding goals but this is not so with other goal tenders who allowed goals in like basket trying to hold water even Wojciech Szczesny (what a name).
I for one believe Vito is our best keeper. while he manned the post we won most of our match hardly conceding goals but this is not so with other goal tenders who allowed goals in like basket trying to hold water even Wojciech Szczesny (what a name).