Source: Eurosport
Wenger impressed by rookie keeper
Arsene Wenger gave rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone "10 out of 10" for an inspired display which helped Arsenal record a hard-fought 1-0 win at Fulham.[LNB] The 21-year-old Italian has been standing in for regular stopper Manuel Almunia, currently laid low by a virus and produced a string of superb displays in Saturday's clash at Craven Cottage, which was settled by a well-taken strike from Robin van Persie after 52 minutes.[LNB] Wenger said: "I believe you would give him 10 out of 10 because everything he did was right, and for a goalkeeper, that is the most important. He stopped everything he had to stop and did not make any wrong decision. Overall he has shown he has the potential to be a very good goalkeeper."[LNB] Mannone may be the Gunners' third-choice keeper, behind Pole Lukasz Fabianski, sidelined following knee surgery, but Wenger has been impressed by the way the Italian has adapted to the number one slot.[LNB] "In this job you have to go from game to game," he said. "Consistency is the first sign of quality.[LNB] "Sometimes keepers look unbeatable, and he looked (on Saturday) that he could make every save. He has played a fantastic game and until the next game, he is the number one."[LNB] Mannone denied Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey and substitute Zoltan Gera with a number of impressive stops.[LNB] Asked if it was the best performance of his career, Mannone told ESPN: "I would say yes, when you play like that in the first team.[LNB] "You have to take your opportunity. I think I did it tonight and I'm happy with the three points, it was a great win. [LNB] "We all enjoyed it. It was a great performance by the team and the group showed a lot of solidarity."
