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Assured - Italian keeper Vito Mannone was the man of the match in Arsenal's 1-0 win at Fulham |
Vito makes vital saves and becomes a man
Third choice keeper Mannone ensures Gunners
come away with three points
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE - SATURDAY - CRAVEN COTTAGE
Fulham 0 Arsenal 1 (Van Persie 52)
ARSENAL owe their narrow, hard-thought win to inexperienced keeper Vito Mannone. The 21 year old Italian made five saves to deny a battling Fulham side the point they deserved. But, as is so often proved in top-flight football, wasted chances are always punished. Even when they are threatened, Arsenal always break with rapier speed and pass their way to the goal with surgical precision. On 52 minutes Cesc Fabregas found Robin Van Persie, who's sharp turn and low shot was too much for Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer. This was just about Arsenal's only shot worthy of the name, and they scored from it.
At the other end though, Mannone was busy keeping Fulham's lively forward line at bay. On 15 minutes he made a double save to first deny Andy Johnson's flying header, and then a Clint Dempsey follow up that whacked him on the side of the face. Arsenal's young keeper was at it again on 55 minutes, when he kept out another Johnson header, and he proved he could hold his concentration, with a smart save to deny Bobby Zamora five minutes from time.
Mannone has certainly come of age. This was an assured performance, so different to the recent and nervous Champions League debut away in Liege, or that awkward loan spell at Championship side Barnsley last season.
But now, he looks set to start the home European tie against Olympiakos tomorrow night. (Tuesday). First choice Manuel Almunia is still reeling from the effects of a chest infection, but fit-or-not, the bleached-topped Spaniard may find it a struggle to regain his place between the sticks, such was Mannone's impeccable showing at Fulham.
Boss Arsene Wenger was certainly impressed by a player he sees as a potential national keeper for Italy. 'He has mental strength. Now he has shown he has quality'.
Whether or not Mannone, goes on to play for his country, the player signed from Atalanta in 2005, will see this performance as the day he announced himself on the Premier League stage. |
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