Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who shared
part of his career at the club with Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu,
has tragically passed away at the age of 48 following a road accident in
Austria.
Manninger played 34 matches alongside Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu during his
time at Arsenal, and both were part of Arsène Wenger’s squad in a
memorable era at Highbury.
The Austrian goalkeeper, who often served as
backup to David Seaman, was a respected squad member during a period
when Kanu emerged as one of the club’s most influential and beloved
attackers.
Kanu joined
Arsenal in 1999 and quickly became a fan favourite for his creativity,
skill, and decisive moments in big matches.
His iconic hat-trick against
Chelsea remains one of the most celebrated performances in the club’s
history, helping to cement his legacy as one of Arsenal’s greatest
African players.
Manninger,
meanwhile, contributed to Arsenal’s success during the late 1990s and
early 2000s, including the club’s Premier League and FA Cup triumphs in
the 1997/98 season.
While his appearances were limited compared to
first-choice goalkeeper David Seaman, he remained an important part of
the squad depth that supported the team’s competitive consistency.
Both
Manninger and Kanu were part of a dressing room that featured
world-class names such as Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry
Henry, forming a side that defined Arsenal’s dominance in English
football during that period.
After
leaving Arsenal, Manninger went on to play for several top European
clubs including Juventus, Fiorentina and Udinese, building a long career
across Europe before eventually retiring.
Wale Adejumo
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