Arsenal sign Italian goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano on loan

Arsenal have completed the season-long loan signing of Emiliano Viviano from Palermo.

The Italian’s parent club loaned the goalkeeper out to Fiorentina last season, but the Serie A side did not take up the opportunity to seal his services on a permanent basis.

Following Palermo’s relegation to Serie B at the end of last season Viviano became available for a loan move once more and Arsene Wenger has pounced to provide Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski with back up.

The 27-year-old made regular appearances for Italy at youth level and was once heralded the natural successor to Gigi Buffon but his recent career has seen him win just six full international caps.

Wenger has told the club’s official site that the acquisition was not a knee-jerk signing.

“Viviano is a player that we have rated for some time and we are very pleased to have signed him on loan,” said the Arsenal boss.

“He’s experienced and has proved himself at a high level, and provides us with excellent cover to our existing goalkeepers.”