36yo former Gunner receives special fan tribute after penalty heroics | OneFootball

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone received a hero’s welcome back to Lille over the weekend after starring in the Coupe de France in midweek.

Photo via Mannone on Instagram

11 years after leaving Arsenal in a permanent transfer to Sunderland, Vito Mannone is still playing top-level football with Lille.

The French side decided to sign the former Gunner in 2023, after deciding against a move for then-Arsenal goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson on the grounds that he was too expensive.

Though 36-year-old Mannone isn’t a starter anymore, he’s been in Lille’s squad for almost every game this season, and his patience on the bench was rewarded with a couple of appearances in the Coupe de France over the last month.

The first was against lower-league side FC Rouen 1899, and Mannone kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win. But the second start was much more of a test, with Lille playing away to Ligue 1 side Marseille.

Photo via Mannone on Instagram

Mannone made an excellent first-half save in a one-on-one situation to keep the teams level, though he was fortunate that Neal Maupay’s goal later in the half was ruled out for brushing the striker’s arm on the way in.

Lille took the lead in the 68th minute, and Mannone managed to keep Marseille at bay until a 96th-minute equaliser took the game to penalties.

But despite losing his clean sheet, Mannone finished the night on top after making two penalty-shootout saves to send his team to the round-of-16. Both saves were impressive, and the Lille squad could be heard chanting “Vito! Vito!” in the post-match celebrations.

Photo via Mannone on Instagram

The Lille fans were similarly pleased with their goalkeeper’s performance, and they welcomed him back to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with a serenade of “Grande Vito” – along with a banner showing the same message.

It’s been a great week for Mannone, and he’ll be keen for Lille’s next cup game against Haguenau or Dunkerque to come around as soon as possible.