Mannone eyes starting gig; Fabregas unhappy on the bench

Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone is not going to give up his interim place in the Gunners’ starting XI without a fight.

The Italian shot-stopper has kept two clean sheets in two league appearances against Stoke City and Liverpool in place of injured Poland international Wojciech Szczesny this season.

Szczesny should be fully fit for Arsenal’s next English Premier League fixture against newly promoted Southampton on Saturday, 15 September, but Mannone’s purple patch might keep the Polish keeper on the bench.

“I just roll up my sleeves and try to work because I know I can do well,” Mannone told the club’s official website.

“When you are number one, you feel important and like the happiest man in the world, that sort of feeling gives me the chance to go onto the pitch with confidence.

“I would like to be involved more and more and establish myself.”

The 24-year-old goalkeeper joined Arsenal from Italian side Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio for a fee of £350,000 in the summer of 2005.

Since his arrival in north London, Mannone has made 12 appearances for the Gunners, while also spending time on loan in the English Championship at Barnsley and Hull City.

Is competition among goalkeepers good news for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal? Mannone believes it is, and he’s probably spot on.

“It is a good fight between the keepers because we know the level is quite high and you need to keep working and improve yourself to get the first spot,” added the Italian.

Fabregas unhappy on the bench

FC Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he wants more playing time, insisting that he did not join the Catalans to sit on the bench.

“I’ve always said that I play for the best team in the world, but I came here to compete, to learn and enjoy, not to sit wracking my brains,” he revealed to Radio Marca.

However, Fabregas did admit that he is competing with the three best players in the world, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi, for playing time. Surely that does not help his cry for help.

Now then, the Spain international also revealed that he believes that their is “no such thing as a great substitute”. You’ve got to admire his cheekiness and wittiness.

I mean, he’s basically telling Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova that he wants a regular place in the Catalan’s starting XI, without those exact words of course.

Will the disgruntled midfielder get what he wants, or will Tito Vilanova put his foot down and disregard the Spain international’s wishes?

Regardless, one would think that Arsenal are closely monitoring Fabregas’ situation. Now there’s something to think about.

Goodbye for now.