Emiliano Viviano: 8 Things You Need To Know About Arsenal’s New Goalkeeper

Arsenal snapped up Italian goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano on transfer deadline day. Here, Gunner333 tells us 8 things we should know about the 27-year-old stopper.

As Arsenal’s main transfer of the Summer came in the form of German playmaker Mesut Ozil, many Gooners can be forgiven for over-looking the signing of keeper Emiliano Viviano. The Italian was signed on a season-long-loan deal with the option to buy next summer. Here I highlight 8 key things you should know about him:

8. Whole Career in Italy

Viviano has played for a number of Italian clubs [mainly on loan] and has never left his home country. Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Bologna are just some of the clubs he has played for in Serie A. He signed a co-ownership deal with Inter but never played for the Milan club. Fortunately, as a keeper, the 27-year-old will not have to worry about adapting to the pace and physicality of the league though.

7. Represented His Nation

As well as playing within his home country, Emiliano has also represented the Italian national team. Keeping a clean-sheet in his first team debut, the Italian went on to become second choice keeper ahead of the likes of Salvatore Sirigu and Federico Marchetti.

6. Would Have Preferred Florence To North-London!

The reason the transfer of Viviano was stalled is due to the fact the Italian preferred the idea of moving back to Fiorentina – the side he supports- and was awaiting a bid from the club he spent last year on loan at. In fact he is such a die-hard Fiorentina fan, that he named his daughter Viola in homage to the club.

5. Statically Pleasing

Since 2009 in Serie A, Viviano has kept 28 clean sheets, 11 of which came last season for Fiorentina. He is also a shot stopping ace with an admirable save succes rate of 70%. Discipline for goalkeepers is certainly important and the fact he has never picked up a red in his career will come as a blessing to Arsenal fans.

4. Potentially Injury Prone

Measuring 6ft 5in, the Italian will have the edge over many keepers in the Prem.  However, he will fall-down in one area of the physical department after he suffered a horrific anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee which kept him out for the majority of the 2011/12 season. With out injury record, the last thing we need is another injury prone player.

3. Wenger’s a Big Fan

Obviously a manager will like the players that he signs but Arsene has spoken of his up-most admiration of Viviano saying:

“Viviano is player that we have rated for some time and we are very pleased to have signed him on loan,” He Continued;”He’s experienced and has proved himself at a high level, and provides us with excellent cover to our existing goalkeepers.” [source: Arsenal.com]

2. Arsenal May be His ‘Escape Route’

With Viviano’s current parent club Palermo being relegated to Serie B for this season, we may be thought as a potential ‘escape route’ for him. At 27-years-old, despite having many years left as a keeper, he is not getting any younger and could feel Arsenal is his pathway to the big time.

1. Not Szczesny’s Replacement, Purely Back-Up

Along with Fabianski, Viviano provides excellent back-up for the main Pole in goal Wojciech Szczesny. He may not be the ‘World-class’ keeper many thought we would get but if he is given the chance he could definitely trouble Szczesny and potentially become one of the best in the Premier League.

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