Forgotten former Arsenal keeper, 38, keeps clean sheet in Carabao Cup clash 18 months after his last appearance

FORMER Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone kept a clean sheet on his debut as player coach with Crawley in the Carabao Cup. Mannone, 38, joined the League Two outfit in June having played his last competitive match with former club Lille in February 2025. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone kept a clean sheet on his debut as Crawley’ player coach Credit: Getty Images – Getty Mannone helped Crawley beat York City as head of the goalkeeping department Credit: PA:Empics Sport The ex-Italy youth international took charge of the EFL side’s goalkeeping department while being available for selection two months ago. And the ex-Arsenal shot stopper made his bow between the sticks in the Carabao Cup. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Crawley visited York City in the preliminary round on Monday at York Community Stadium. And Mannone enjoyed a successful debut as he kept a clean sheet by helping another former Arsenal ace in Colin Kazim-Richards – now manager of the club – pick up a 2-0 win. The Red Devils broke the deadlock on 24 minutes thanks to Gianmarco Di Biasse’s opener. And Danilo Orsi sealed the big away win from the penalty spot four minutes before full-time. Crawley are now set to visit Watford on Saturday in the Carabao Cup’s first round. Mannone joined Arsenal from Atalanta in 2005 and underwent a loan stint at Barnsley a year later before making his competitive debut with the first team in 2009. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK The Italian also spent two seasons on loan at Hull between 2010 and 2012 before returning to the Emirates where he amassed a total of 23 appearances throughout an eight-year period. Mannone left the Gunners in 2013 and underwent quite the nomadic career in England and abroad. That included stints with Sunderland, Reading, Minnesota United, Esbjerg, Monaco, Lorient and Lille. Comment now