Arsenal legend Seaman tribute to Manninger after tragic passing

Arsenal legend David Seaman has paid tribute to Alex Manninger after is tragic death on Thursday.

Manninger, who made 64 appearances during five years at Arsenal and played a key role in helping the Gunners win both the Premier League and FA Cup in 1998, died in a road accident near Salzburg on Thursday morning. He was 48.

“It is devastating news,” Seaman, 62, told the Press Association. “It is really sad and it is difficult to get your head around it.

“When I think of Alex Manninger, he was a fantastic goalkeeper for us. He came in and deputised for me during a really critical time to help us win the double.

“He did amazingly well. He was just a young lad when he broke into the first team. For a 20-year-old to come in and play for Arsenal in the way that he did was really special.

“I was out for quite a few games through injury. He played 13 times, kept a clean sheet in the key 1-0 league win against Manchester United at Old Trafford and saved penalties in our (quarter-final) FA Cup win against West Ham.

“The fans loved him. And I must admit it was touch and go as to whether I would get back in the side. He was a massive player for Arsenal.”

Manninger left Arsenal for Espanyol in 2002.

He also had spells in Italy with Torino, Bologna, Siena and Juventus – with whom he collected a Serie A winner’s medal – and joined Liverpool on a short-term deal in 2016.