{"id":3471,"date":"2026-04-08T01:52:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T01:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=3471"},"modified":"2026-04-08T01:52:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T01:52:02","slug":"i-played-for-arsenal-and-sporting-but-almost-ruined-it-all-by-turning-up-at-match-drunk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=3471","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I played for Arsenal and Sporting but almost ruined it all by turning up at match drunk&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_09e96c\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The former Arsenal star very nearly saw his footballing career ruined after turning up to a Premier League match having gone on a vodka binge the night before<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">11:31, 07 Apr 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 11:56, 07 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36978060\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emiliano Viviano was contracted to Arsenal for the 2013\/14 season \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978060.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_Emiliano-Viviano.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978060.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_Emiliano-Viviano.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978060.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_Emiliano-Viviano.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978060.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_Emiliano-Viviano.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Emiliano Viviano was contracted to Arsenal for the 2013\/14 season \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Emiliano Viviano was contracted to Arsenal for the 2013\/14 season <cite aria-label=\"Image: David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former Arsenal and Sporting CP star Emiliano Viviano admitted to nearly playing while drunk. The Italian, who was on loan from Palermo, was Arsene Wenger&#8217;s third-choice shot-stopper in the 2013\/14 season, though he did not make even one appearance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, that may not have been the case had Wojciech Szczesny been forced off during a Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park, with Viviano &#8211; whose former sides meet in the Champions League quarter-finals &#8211; opening up on how he was on the bench for that game, roughly 12 hours on from drinking heavily on a night out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Back in February, he told Italian outlet <a aria-label=\"La Gazzetta dello SportLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gazzetta.it\/Calcio\/07-02-2026\/emiliano-viaviano-intervista-l-inter-il-mio-rimpianto-conte-baggio-e-mihajlovic.shtml\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/a>: \u201cI went out partying and around 2am, I stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and read a SMS, \u2018Fabianski is ill, a car will come to pick you up at 6.30am.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI had drunk half a bottle of vodka. I went to my friend who owned the nightclub and showed him the message. He asked, \u2018What now?\u2019 I replied, \u2018Now bring me more vodka.\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong> <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootballarsenal#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI got home, had a shower and when I arrived in the dressing room in Liverpool, the great Santi Cazorla told me, \u2018You smell of alcohol, it\u2019s disgusting.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Sporting Lisbon&#8217;s true feelings on Viktor Gyokeres after bitter Arsenal transfer<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Sporting CP vs Arsenal injury news as eight players could miss Champions League clash<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIt was the only time in my life I almost had a panic attack. I couldn\u2019t see anything and kept repeating to myself, &#8216;If I have to play, my career is over.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Thankfully for Viviano he did not get on the pitch, with Szczesny managing to complete the full 90 minutes without any issues. However, Arsenal were beaten 3-0 at Goodison Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He did make it onto the pitch wearing an Arsenal kit, but that was in a game for the under-21s where he conceded five goals, as per <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.co.uk\/emiliano-viviano\/leistungsdaten\/spieler\/24316\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">transfer market<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36978035\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36978035\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.4\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emiliano Viviano of Palermo\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978035.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-456526336.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978035.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-456526336.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978035.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-456526336.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36978035.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-456526336.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Viviano played the majority of his career in Italy and spent two seasons at Palermo\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Viviano played the majority of his career in Italy and spent two seasons at Palermo<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Viviano returned to Palermo at the end of that campaign before joining fellow Serie A side Sampdoria, where he went on to make over 100 appearances. A loan move to Sporting was sanctioned in 2019, but just like at Emirates Stadium, he did not play one single game for the Portuguese side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He went on to enjoy spells at Serie C side SPAL, Turkish outfit Fatih Karagumruk and Ascoli, also of Italy. He also made a total of 10 appearances for the Italian national team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Viviano is one of several names to have played for both Sporting and Arsenal with Viktor Gyokeres, Hector Bellerin, Joel Campbell and Cedric Soares others who have represented the two clubs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The next chapter in their shared history will be written on Tuesday evening with the Gunners heading to Jose Alvalade Stadium for a Champions League quarter-final first leg clash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The second leg arrives the following Wednesday with Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side looking to make it consecutive appearances in Champions League semi-finals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Watch Sporting CP vs Arsenal for free<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36954545.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Prime-Champions-Leaguejfif.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>\u00a38.99<\/p>\n<p>\u00a30<\/p>\n<p>Amazon<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/primevideo-eu.pxf.io\/c\/344386\/1978462\/20021?subId1=FootballLondon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Get Amazon Prime here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals where they face <!-- -->Sporting CP on April 7<!-- -->. <!-- -->Fans can watch the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or 30-day trial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The former Arsenal star very nearly saw his footballing career ruined after turning up to a Premier League match having gone on a vodka binge the night before 11:31, 07 Apr 2026Updated 11:56, 07 Apr 2026 Emiliano Viviano was contracted to Arsenal for the 2013\/14 season (Image: David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Former Arsenal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}