Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger, an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s 1997/98 Double-winning side, has died in a car accident aged 48.
Signed from Grazer AK in 1997, the 20-year-old was thrust into the spotlight midway through the season when David Seaman suffered a serious injury.
The Austrian stepped in for a run of 13 games across three competitions between January and March, keeping six consecutive clean sheets in the league, a joint club record. That run included the 1-0 win at Old Trafford that helped Arsenal seize control of the title race. His penalty-saving heroics in the FA Cup sixth round also ensured progression at West Ham’s expense as part of the run to Wembley.
Although he did not play enough games to qualify for a Premier League winner’s medal, special dispensation was granted in recognition of his contribution.
In total, Manninger made 63 starts for the club, but never displaced Seaman as Wenger’s first-choice goalkeeper. He was loaned to Fiorentina in 2001 and left the following year permanently to join Espanyol.
He went on to enjoy a long career across Europe, playing for Torino, Bologna, Siena, Red Bull Salzburg (who announced today’s sad news), Udinese, Juventus, Augsburg and Liverpool, retiring in 2017. He also earned 33 caps for Austria between 1999 and 2009.
Our thoughts are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time. He will always be remembered as an Arsenal hero.