As per reports, Manninger was involved in a fatal accident this morning along the Salzburg railway line where his car is said to have collided with a local train near an unguarded level crossing.
The Austrian shot-stopper was born in Salzburg in June 1977 and made 63 starts during his five years with The Gunners, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup in 1998.
He later joined Juventus and lifted the 2011/12 Serie A title in Italy before retiring in 2017 following a short spell at Liverpool.
The shot stopper earned 33 caps for Austria, and was included in their UEFA Euro 2008 squad as their second-choice goalkeeper.
Manninger also joined the ranks at Anfield in 2016 on a short-term deal to provide much needed experience and cover for leading goalkeepers Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius.
Both goalkeepers went on to find great success at the club, with Karius becoming a cult hero in a number of cup finals thanks to Manniger’s help behind the scenes.
Manninger’s first club Red Bull Salzburg confirmed news of his untimely death.
“We mourn the loss of our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically died in a traffic accident,” read a club statement.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
“Rest in peace, Alexander. ”