Arsenal have confirmed that third choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone will spend the rest of the season on loan with Hull City.
It is the second time the Italian international has made the move to the KC Stadium with the stopper making ten appearances for the Tigers last term.
Despite making a very successful Premier League debut against Fulham three seasons ago, the 23-year-old has never seriously challenged for a starting berth at the Emirates. Last season he missed the chance to deputise for injured trio Szczesny, Fabianski and Almunia after suffering fitness problems of his own – a situation which forced Arsene Wenger to sign Jens Lehmann on an emergency loan.
Despite garnering first team minutes for the Gunners in this season’s Champions League (as a substitute for Lukasz Fabianski) his horrific gaffe against Olympiakos appears to be the final nail in his career in North London.
Arseblog News waits with baited breath to see if this marks a renewed attack on the number 1 (13) jersey by Manuel Almunia…*shudders*
Good luck for the kid, I still believe he is sold number two in our team or he will do a good job for mid table team soon. That mistake in the CL was a freak one, I saw him in preseason and he was very sold and had good games.
It’s not a freak mistake though is it. I feel for the lad as things were looking rosy but then he made a series of blunders towards the end and has never recovered. It’s no coincidence that a ‘keeper 2-3 years younger went on loan to Brentford but came back and has become #1, while he keeps being loaned out and is touted as our #3.
Good luck to him and we can be thankful that marmalade face isn’t still in charge at Hull.
If Don Vito doesn’t work out then I hear we can sign young medicore keepers from Spain for around £18 million. Clearly we cannot compete with Man Utd with our own Spanish waiter. Their Spanish Butler is far more expensive and 10 times as shit!
Italian but still funny.
So that’s two out on loan so far this window – Frimpong and Mannone – and one in – Henry. Now an extra space has been created in the squad, surely it follows that another much needed player will come in. Doesn’t it?
Nope. Frimpong doesn’t take up a place in the 25-man squad as he’s under 21, and Mannone counts as a homegrown player.
If anything, this cements Alumnia’s place in the squad going forward, meaning that spot won’t open up for an attractive foreign player.
From a “on-the-field” standpoint, sending out Frimpong merely creates less congestion in the midfield when Wilshere comes back.
Oh, its hull.
That was my reaction when i read through the headline. First time round i saw the word Hulk.
I AM VITO MANNONE, nobody I’d rather be…
Clearly he’s fourth choice keeper then, right? Almunia third, ahem. And how does this spell the end of his Arsenal career? That’s a bit of a leap sir. But maybe you know something you haven’t reported? Do tell.
Doesn’t necessarily show he’s ahead or behind Alumnia, just that he desperately needs playing time and he’s not likely to get it with us.
Where has Szczęsny been sent on loan this season and he’s 2 years younger. Or Fabianski? Only Almunia has and he’s now dropped to 3rd choice. His path is blocked now by younger, more talented ‘keepers and so I agree that this may be the end of his Arsenal career
When can we send Almunia on loan?
Well, since the debacle in Greek, Alumnia’s been on the bench as Szczesny’s backup (whether it’s because Fabianski isn’t fully fit or a manager’s decision is unclear), so that looks a bit unlikely, even if a team like West Ham were to lose their keeper.
Well I’m sure he needs minutes but if (SHITTINGCHRISTNO!) the worlds no1 does pick up an injury I think we’d all probably prever Vito to Manuel?
Right?
In that case, we’d probably send out an emergency recall for Mannone.
He will always be the Don Vito for stealing us 3 pts in that Fulham game 3yrs ago! I have no problem with him being number 2 to the Schez! Hope he has a great loan spell with Hull and cements that #2 position for next season!
Will Alumnia get the nod on Monday?