In a startling revelation from his football career, former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has disclosed how teammate Santi Cazorla branded him as 'disgusting' after he turned up to a match reeking of alcohol. The incident, which Viviano describes as causing him to 'almost have a panic attack', sheds light on a little-known moment from his brief stint with the Premier League giants.
A Forgotten Arsenal Spell
Emiliano Viviano's time at Arsenal remains largely forgotten by many football fans. The Italian international joined the Gunners on a 12-month loan deal from Palermo in the summer of 2013, arriving with hopes of establishing himself in English football. However, fierce competition from established goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny and Lucasz Fabianski meant Viviano never played a single minute under legendary manager Arsene Wenger.
While Arsenal celebrated their 11th FA Cup triumph at the end of that season, Viviano's complete absence from matchday squads meant he was ineligible for a winner's medal as his teammates celebrated at Wembley. The goalkeeper would later complete a move to Sporting that summer, beginning a nomadic period that eventually saw him return to Italy with Serie B side Ascoli before retiring after making 27 appearances for the club.
The Night That Changed Everything
In a candid interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Viviano reflected on the highs and lows of his career, from earning six international caps for Italy to his disappointing spell in north London. One particular memory stands out for all the wrong reasons - Arsenal's 3-0 defeat away to Everton towards the end of the 2013/14 season.
'Okay, so I'm not called up for Everton versus Arsenal and I'm having a night out,' Viviano recalled. 'Around 2AM, I go out for a cigarette and read a text message: 'Fabianski has been ill, a car will pick you up at six thirty.''
The goalkeeper had already consumed half a bottle of vodka when he received the emergency call-up. Rather than sobering up, Viviano made a fateful decision: 'I go over to my friend who owns the nightclub and have him read the message. He looks at me: 'What now?'... 'Now bring me more vodka.''
Cazorla's Stinging Rebuke
After arriving home at dawn and taking a quick shower, Viviano travelled to Liverpool for the match. What happened next would haunt him for years to come. 'When I get to Liverpool, in the dressing room, the great Santi Cazorla says to me: 'You smell of alcohol, you're disgusting,'' Viviano revealed.
The Spanish midfielder's blunt assessment had an immediate and profound effect on the Italian goalkeeper. 'It was the only time in my life I almost had a panic attack,' Viviano admitted. 'I couldn't see and I kept telling myself: 'If I have to come on, my career is over.''
Reflections on a Varied Career
Beyond this embarrassing episode, Viviano's interview covered numerous aspects of his football journey. He spoke about his time as Gianluigi Buffon's understudy in the Italian national team, describing the legendary goalkeeper as 'a guy who should have been applauded in every Italian stadium but, instead, he didn't get the respect he deserved everywhere.'
The former goalkeeper also expressed his disappointment at being left out of Italy's Euro 2012 squad, calling it 'a stab from [Cesare] Prandelli' and suggesting the decision was political rather than based on footballing merit.
Wenger's 'Normal' Management Style
Viviano offered interesting insights into working under Arsene Wenger, admitting his expectations didn't match reality. 'Wenger was there at Arsenal. I expected a revolutionary, he was just a normal manager,' the recently-turned-40-year-old said, while acknowledging that Szczesny's 'fantastic year' and Fabianski's presence made breaking into the team impossible.
Considering a Coaching Future
Looking ahead, Viviano revealed he's contemplating a move into coaching but remains cautious about the profession's demands. 'Yes, I'm passionate about the proposal, I'm fascinated by the coaches' communication and having played in four different countries gives you a huge amount of openness,' he explained.
However, witnessing the toll coaching has taken on others gives him pause. 'I see [Cristian] Chivu, who's aged twenty years in six months, my brother [Roberto] De Zerbi, who spends 15 hours a day, maybe even more, with his head in there,' Viviano observed. 'That job can't be done by half measures and I think back to the fact that at the end of my career, I couldn't stand certain things anymore.'
The former goalkeeper concluded with philosophical reflection: 'But I also know that I'm 40 years old, so who knows: in the future, anything is possible.' His story serves as a cautionary tale about professional preparation and the lasting impact of teammates' honest assessments.
