Arsenal’s 25-year-old, Italian shot-stopper has made a move to the Wearside following an 8-year stint with the London club. The black cats, who have been on full swing this transfer window has acquired Vito Mannone as their sixth summer signing.
Joining Arsenal as a 17-year-old prospect from Atalanta, the Italian never really made his way to the number 1 spot at the Emirates during his time there and only managed 23 appearances for the Gunners. It is believed that Mannone will cost around £2million for Sunderland and the players has signed a two year contract.
Talking to the club’s official website, this is what he had to say:
“I had a great experience at Arsenal and it was a good learning curve for me,” said Mannone. I was really young when I joined them and straight away I was with the first team in pre-season back in 2005.
“Then I went through all the steps – under-18s, reserves – before reaching the first team. It has been a great experience – even if I was probably a bit restricted in terms of opportunities. I learned a lot.”
Now he is ready to make the most of that experience he has gained under Arsene Wenger
“I waited a long time for an opportunity like Sunderland, and for me it is a great one,” he said. I’m very excited. I am here to work hard and to show what I can do. Of course, every player knows they have competition – we live in a world of competition.
“I will work and do my best to be in the first 11, and then the manager will decide. All I can do is try to show what I am capable of.
“The potential is incredible, I have come from a big club but to be honest I don’t see any difference in the facilities. From what I can see on my first day they are brilliant. To have good facilities where you can work and improve is something every club wants to achieve.
“The base is there and I am really happy to be here.”
In other news, and a rather bizarre one, Luis Suarez has been linked with a shock move to Arsenal. Just when you thought the Higuain rumours are starting to give a few nerves for the Gunners faithful, the media comes up with something as crazy as this one.
The Sun, Metro, Daily Mail have all come up with stories linking the Uruguayan with Arsenal as they claim the bookies have suspended betting on Suarez moving to the Emirates this summer.
For a player who wanted out of the Premier league due to the English media, this is somewhat a surprise. Whilst his odds have changed dramatically for a move to arsenal, the favourites are Madrid at 5/6.
Sky Bet have slashed their odds from 20-1 to 7-2 following a run of bets while William Hill even suspended the betting after taking it down to 5-6 claim the Daily mail.