Premier League - Mannone may make Arsenal bow

Eurosport - Fri, 22 May 14:10:00 2009

Arsenal fans could get another glimpse into the club's future should rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone be handed an unexpected debut against Stoke in the final Premier League game of the season on Sunday.

2008-2009 Arsenal Vito Mannone - 0

Regular number one Manuel Almunia has been sidelined for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury, and Poland international Lukasz Fabianski is now rated as only 50/50 to face the Potters because of a knee problem.

Italian Mannone, 21, has been part of the senior side as an unused substitute in the past, but his only domestic league experience comes from four games while on loan at Barnsley back in 2006.

"Lukasz Fabianski has a problem with his knee, so Vito Mannone might get a call-up," said manager Arsene Wenger.

"But we still have to assess Fabianski. He is 50/50 for the game at the moment."

Midfielder Samir Nasri (knee) is ruled out, but otherwise Arsenal report no fresh injury problems from last weekend's game at Manchester United, which clinched the title for the Red Devils following a goalless draw.

PA Sport / Eurosport

Comment 5 - 24 of 24

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. BRING OUT ROSICKY

    From bonnero_henri, on Sat 23 May 9:05AM

  2. Give him a chance. Arsenal should get Hangeland and I­ have a feeling Hangeland is going to play well. Mannone­ should make his debut show that he is better than­ wenger thinks, then wenger will put him on more when­ Almunia is injured. Just one little question which­ needs to be answered; is Almunia injured? Almunia is­ still a stunning goalkepper not the best in the league,­ just right for arsenal. Fabianski is not the worse­ keeper, so comment number 4 Think! Fabianski does­ concede but every goalkeeper concedes.

    From Nath, on Sat 23 May 8:09AM

  3. Give the kid a chance and lets get the rest of the kids­ out on the pitch and see what they can do against­ Stoke.

    If they can turn over a "physical"­ side like Stoke, then bring on next season.

    Hopefully­ we can get Hangeland in and maybe another central­ defender to cover for Kolo / Gallas. Midfield just­ needs a bit of steel or Alonso, and we're fine up­ front even if Adebayor goes to Chelsea or Milan.­ Bendtner deserves another season and hopefully Eduardo­ will be back to full fitness soon

    GUNNERS FOR­ LIFE......................

    From Ta, on Sat 23 May 12:25AM

  4. armystrong7769, Couldn't have said that any better.­ I Wenge We Trust!!!!

    From mrazz, on Fri 22 May 9:16PM

  5. We aren't playing for anything...let Mannonne play.­ As a matter of fact, I think Wenger should play all­ the youngster on Sunday. Let's see what they can­ do. Vela up front with RVP. Bring on Randall and­ Ramsey with Arshavin and Cesc. Oh and for all you­ Wenger haters out there....I heard Tottenham and­ Cheslea need supporters....you're welcome! GUNNERS­ 4 LIFE!!

    From Justin, on Fri 22 May 8:12PM

  6. Stuart L its you again, parading your ignorance on the­ net?

    From sanchez.santos, on Fri 22 May 7:37PM

  7. ARSENAL FOR LIFE. ALL OF MY LIFE.I WILL STAY TRUE TO­ YOU. GIVE MANNONE A CHANCE HE WILL
    PROVE­ HIMSELF. I BELIEVE IN ARSENE WENGER. SHEER GENIOUS.­ WATCH US NEXT SEASON.

    From Peter saint george, on Fri 22 May 4:08PM

  8. Good luck Vito ! ok not won a pot again this year but­ the gunners will come good next year !
    & wipe that­ smug smile off manpoo fans ! come on Barc! Gunner 4­ life .

    From vantheman1309, on Fri 22 May 4:01PM

  9. It is not article to discuss here because this is final­ game for this season, Let look what would be in the­ future? Stop Discuss about absent of someone now

    From Abba Mai Adda, on Fri 22 May 3:31PM

  10. Well Michelle Lieberman, you seem a game girl and­ definately a goer!!!!!!!!!!!

    From martinbirley, on Fri 22 May 2:55PM

  11. Comment 2, not much of a fan considering the absent of­ faith in our players you are showing...

    Give him a­ shot and good luck!

    From Omar, on Fri 22 May 2:22PM

  12. Yeah, give him a go! Who knows, he might spring a­ surprise, and neither of the clubs are playing for­ positions. It's not like Fabianski's­ world-class either!

    From Oliver, on Fri 22 May 2:08PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Go Stoke!

    From donegal08, on Fri 22 May 1:55PM

  14. Vito Mannone! well i wish the guy all the best, i­ haven't watch him Play before but i want to be sure­ that he will not disappoint us like Fabianski used to­ do. I'm a gunner til am gone!!!

    From wumi2k4love, on Fri 22 May 12:36PM

  15. Vito Mannone! well i wish the guy all the best, i­ haven't watch him Play before but i want to be sure­ that he will not disappoint us like Fabianski used to­ do. I'm a gunner til am gone!!!

    From wumi2k4love, on Fri 22 May 12:35PM

  16. In answer to stuart L,you are reading it in the context­ to 'bow' out,this context is to make your­ 'bow' as in bow and arrow, completely different­ as you can now see.Anyway me being a Stoke fan enjoy­ the final game,enjoy the stoke support,and enjoy the­ oatcakes that have been shipped down your­ way(there's a local pub serving them specially for­ the day)have a 'good un' Mick.

    From dave, on Fri 22 May 12:13PM

  17. Fabianski is to small to be a goalkeeper

    From Bob, on Fri 22 May 11:59AM

  18. "Mannone may make Arsenal bow". Is He­ leaving? In this context "bow" means to leave­ or stop. Good old Eurosport. Got the YTS writers­ working again. Should use the word "debut" I­ think!

    From Stuart L, on Fri 22 May 11:50AM

  19. Its worth giving him a chance who knows Fabianski is to­ hit and miss mostly miss but maybe this is the­ opportunity for Mannone to make good .Gooner till I die

    From PETER, on Fri 22 May 11:49AM

  20. I watched him at Barnsley a few times and he was­ shocking! Hope he's improved for you! You­ redddsssss

    From gary.cutt, on Fri 22 May 11:41AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account