On this day [4 May]: Alex Manninger was born in Austria

On 4 May 1977, former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger was born in Salzburg, Austria, according to the Official Club website.

Manninger started off his football career at the Austria Salzburg Youth team at the age of 16 before being promoted to the senior team two years later. After year-long stints at SK Vorwärts Steyr and Grazer AK, he became Arsene Wenger’s latest acquisition in the 1997/98 Premier League season, covering for the injured David Seaman.

However with his rapid reflexes and effortless shot stopping skills, the absence of the Arsenal number one was hardly noticed. Alex Manninger’s heroics between the sticks were never made more manifest than in the 1998 6th round replay of the FA Cup against West Ham. He inspired his side to victory on penalties, seemingly leading The Gunners to an FA Cup triumph at the end of the season.

According to Arsenal.com, although Manninger never played the required number of games to receive a Premier League Winner’s medal, he was deservingly awarded with one.

His first team opportunities were however limited after the return of David Seaman, consequently prompting him to join Serie A side Fiorentina in 2002.