Login
Send a message
Date of Birth: Wednesday, March 2, 1988
Birth Place: Italy
Height: 191cm
Position: Goalkeeper
Former Clubs/Teams: Barnsley FC, Arsenal FC, Atalanta Bergamo

Biography

Vito Mannone is a goalkeeper who plays for Arsenal in the English Premier League. Mannone is a solid and reliable goalkeeper who has the ability to pull off some sublime saves. Because he moved to England to an early age, he has struggled to win recognition from the Italian national sides, but his convincing performances in the years to come should ensure he gets noticed.

Childhood

Mannone was born on 2nd March 1988 in Desio, Italy. He began playing in nets with his brothers when he was just 5 years old, and was signed up by the Atalanta academy when he was 12.

Early Career

Some stellar performances in the youth team ranks gave Vito a great reputation, and he was highlighted as a goalie with a very bright future by scouts across Europe.

Current Club

Vito Mannone joined Arsenal on July 1st 2005. Aged 17, he had still not signed professional forms with Atalanta so was available for just £350,000. Arsene Wenger immediately threw him into the first team, with Vito making his debut in a friendly against Barnet in July 2005.

However, Vito was competing for a spot in the team with Jens Lehmann, Manuel Almunia, and Lukasz Fabianski, so struggled to get many games. A spell on loan at Barnsley saw him return injured after just two appearances. Other loan moves have been discussed but failed to materialise, leaving Vito on the fringes of the squad.

Being so young, Vito is happy to learn his trade from the more experienced goalkeepers. He signed a new long-term contract in December 2007, and clearly has a future at the club. He remains behind Almunia and Fabianski now that Lehmann has returned to Germany, and will get his chance in the future.

International

Vito has yet to be recognised by the Italian national sides, although he had some days at the national centre of excellence when he was still a teenager. Even Gianfranco Zola struggled to get international caps when he was playing in England, so this is nothing for Vito to worry about.