Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano on a season-long loan. The player will join on an initial one year deal with an option to buy.

The player has been closely monitored by Arsenal for some time, with the club failing in a bid last year. “Viviano is a player that we have rated for some time”

The Italian international, 27, has played for Brescia, Inter Milan, Bologna, Palermo and excelled for Fiorentina last season, making eleven clean sheets in thirty-two appearances. Although not appearing for the Azzurri since 2012, Viviano has received six caps and will be keen to challenge Federico Marchetti and Salvatore Sirigu as Gianluigi Buffon’s understudy.

The highly-rated keeper, once hailed as a future Italian number one, has failed to fully live up to expectations, largely due to a torn knee ligament in 2011, but no doubt has the required ability to succeed in the Premier League.

The acquisition leaves Arsenal in a strong position in goal. Wojciech Szczesny will undoubtedly remain number one for the foreseeable future, but Viviano will provide stronger competition than Lukasz Fabianski, who has failed to impress in his six years at the North London club.

Another positive to come out of the transfer is that it will certainly force Szczesny to improve, much like Kieran Gibbs has after the arrival of Nacho Monreal in January. Arsenal’s number one is hugely talented, but his arrogance has hindered his form in recent months.

The signing of Viviano, whilst not the glamorous name Arsenal fans crave, has addressed an area where Arsenal have struggled in the past without breaking the bank.

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