Fabianski injury could open door for Mannone

By Richard Clarke

Rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone could be handed a first-team debut on Sunday when Arsenal complete their Premier League campaign against Stoke City at Emirates Stadium.

Lukasz Fabianski is rated as 50:50 because of a knee problem while first-choice stopper Manuel Almunia is definitely out with an ankle injury. Therefore Mannone may take the gloves.

The 21-year-old Italian has never featured in the first-team under Arsène Wenger and his only League experience is four games on loan at Barnsley back in 2006.

Samir Nasri (knee) is definitely out but, apart from that, Wenger will choose from the same squad as the one that drew at Manchester United last weekend.

“We have a problem with our goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who has a problem with his knee,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday.
 
“Vito Mannone might get a call-up. But we still have to assess Fabianski. He is 50:50 for the game at the moment.
 
“Nasri has patella tendonitis and is out for the weekend. Apart from that, everyone from the Man United game is OK.”

Arsenal TV Online subscribers will be able to see the full video interview on Friday morning. In it, Wenger talks about: the stories linking him with Real Madrid, his future plans at Arsenal, speculation surrounding Emmanuel Adebayor, his early transfer targets, Stoke – the Premier League overachievers of the season and his thanks to the home supporters

[Thursday, May 21, 2009]

Fabianski injury could open door for Mannone

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