Emiliano Viviano
Arsenal are reportedly interested in goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano who plays for both Inter Milan and Palermo in a co-ownership deal.
Viviano has been half an Inter player since 2009 and has yet to make an appearance for L’Azzurronero. He has been loaned out to teams that occupy the other half of his contract which include clubs like Brescia, Bologna and Palermo.
However, the 6ft 5 Italian is unsure if both Inter and Palermo require his services for next season and Sky Sport Italia suggest that Arsenal are interested following an enquiry made two months ago by the north-London side.
The Gunners are currently short of goalkeepers at the moment with Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone looking to leave the club following the emergence of current first-choice ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Fabianski has been frustrated by his lack of playing time after only playing for Arsenal in domestic cup competitions. He told Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza: “I hope that my adventure with Arsenal has come to an end.”
“I intend to leave and play in a strong league. I wanted to leave in the winter, too, but Arsene Wenger did not give a green light.”
Meanwhile, Mannone spent most of the 2011/12 campaign on loan to Championship side Hull City. The Italian, who had a brief spell as Arsenal’s number one during the 2009/10 season following injuries to Almunia and Fabianski, said in November that he would be interested in making his move to Hull permanent.
However, Viviano has just recovered from a complete tear in his cruciate ligament in his left knee which kept him out until January so this might not be the right time for Arsene Wenger to capture this particular goalkeeper.
Despite this, Wenger needs to act quickly as it is looking like Szczesny needs some back-up for next season. Arsenal cannot completely rely on their current ‘Pole in the goal’, especially after his disappointing performances in Euro 2012.
Written by Sam Blitz
