Alex Manninger passes away: Remembering Arsenal's double-winning goalkeeper

Football fans were shocked to learn on Thursday that former Arsenal and Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger was tragically killed after his car was struck by a train.

His first club Red Bull Salzburg announced the devastating news earlier today with The Salzburg Police saying its officers were called to a traffic accident involving a train and a car at a level-crossing in Nussdorf am Haunsberg, north of the city, at around 8.20am on Thursday.

Since the news of his passing broke, the footballing world has mourned the loss of the goalkeeper who was key for the Gunners in their historic 1997/98 double-winning season.

Remembering Alex Manninger

In plenty of cases, backup goalkeepers join clubs as deputies who step in for cup games and when the first-choice is injured, but their contributions to their side are sometimes forgotten. However, Alex Manninger is fondly remembered by Arsenal fans for his time in North London.

The Austrian joined the Gunners ahead of the 1997/98 season as David Seaman's deputy, but ended up offering more in that campaign than most would have expected.

Manninger stepped in for England's number one in from January to March and kept clean sheets in all six of his Premier League appearances. His most notable game in that run was the famous 1-0 win at Manchester United as he denied Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham with stunning saves on the way to victory.

He also played five times in the FA Cup, saving the decisive penalty in a quarter-final shootout against West Ham.

Despite not appearing in the final victory over Newcastle, the shotstopper still played a key part in his side's cup triumph. He also received a Premier League winner's medal even though he didn't play the required amount of games throughout the campaign.

He continued to deputise for Seaman over the next three seasons, making 39 Premier League appearances and playing a total of 64 times for Arsenal, including in the 1999 Community Shield win against Man United.

When Seaman was at his best, Manninger was always going to find it difficult to find opportunities, meaning he eventually left the English capital for Fiorentina in 2001 ahead of representing the likes of Juventus and Liverpool, as well as receiving 33 caps for the Austria national team.

Having been thrown into the spotlight at just 20 years old, Manninger impressed for Arsenal, even as a backup, and he will always be fondly remembered by the Gunners' faithful for how much he helped his side whenever he had to step in.

A Gunner forever. Rest in peace Alex.

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