Austrian footballer Alex Manninger, who played for Arsenal and won the double in the 1997/98 season, has tragically lost his life in a road accident at the age of 48. During his time with the Gunners, Manninger made seven crucial appearances in the Premier League and played a vital role in the FA Cup semi-final win over West Ham, saving a penalty in the shootout. He went on to make a total of 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002. Manninger also had stints in Serie A with Fiorentina, Siena, and Juventus, the Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg, and the German Bundesliga with Augsburg, before ending his career at Liverpool.
The football community is in mourning, with Arsenal releasing a statement expressing their shock and sadness at the news, saying "everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger." Manninger earned 33 caps for Austria and was part of the squad for the 2008 Euros. His former club, Red Bull Salzburg, where he began his career, has also paid tribute to Manninger, saying "we mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident."