Not many players divide opinion amongst their own fans as much as Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue. Booed and mocked by a large group of Arsenal fans, Eboue is also rated as a very good right back by many others. In fact, Eboue seems to be hated and loved by Gooners in pretty equal measures.
He has now sparked another row amongst fans after he conceded that he may leave Arsenal after revealing that he is unhappy at the Emirates. He told France Football,
“It would be hard but I think it would be harder to experience another season like this one. In any case, if I leave Arsenal it would be for another league because it is out of the question that I develop elsewhere in England.”
The twenty-six year old Ivory Coast international moved to the Emirates from Beveren in January 2005 and became a first-team regular in the second half of the following season.
Good idea
However, the purchase of Bacary Sagna saw Eboue used more and more in a midfield role that seemingly only Arsene Wenger thought was a good idea. His inconsistent form resulted in him being overtaken by Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott in the pecking order and he found himself playing irregularly.
He was booed by the Gunners fans back in December after coming off the bench against Wigan and was himself substituted after an abysmal performance. For a while it looked as though his time at Arsenal may be over but in fairness to him he fought back from that low point in his career and ended the season in decent form.
Cult hero
In spite of Eboue’s difficult season or perhaps because of his perseverance in overcoming that difficulty he is considered a cult hero by many Arsenal fans and his name can often be heard sung by fans in a number of different chants.
A look at Eboue’s record at Arsenal shows that he made a total of forty-four appearances in all competitions last season. He played more often in the Premier League and as often in Europe and the domestic cups than he has done in his four year career at the club. This would suggest that his desire to move on may be more to do with his problems than it is to do with how often he plays.
Top quality
Eboue has played twenty-four times for the Ivory Coast and is widely regarded as a top quality right back. The form and class of Bacary Sagna has meant that Eboue is probably second choice in that position. However, many Arsenal fans would argue that he is an exceptional replacement for Sagna if he is unavailable. The lack of quality in replacements, the lack of strength in depth, has largely been the reason why Arsenal have fallen behind the other top three in the Premier League.
Where Eboue has blatantly struggled has been in performing at the required level in a midfield role. It is arguable that he has done the best he can in a position that is not his best. Only Arsene Wenger can explain why he has so often been asked to fulfil that role.
Welcome
So we now have a situation where Eboue has made it clear he would welcome a move away from the club. I would guess that half of the Arsenal fans will think, “Good riddance, shut the door on your way out,†and the other half will be disappointed that a quality international footballer who has shown a great deal of character is likely to leave.
As a neutral, I have always thought that Eboue was an average player with a difficult personality. His record shows that he is better than that.
What do you Gooners think?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
