Ebullient Eboue beats boo boys

Boss Wenger praises his Ivorian international and tips him for first-team run

Published: 25 February 2010
by TOM FOOT

ARSENE Wenger has paid tribute to Emmanuel Eboue one year after the Ivorian international was booed off the pitch by his own fans.

The Arsenal boss has tipped him for a run in the first team after a scintillating performance at right back against Sunderland on Saturday.

Wenger said: “Eboue is a good example that you can always change the opinion of people if you keep focused, have talent and produce on the pitch.
“The people who booed him one year ago today love him. That is down to his attitude and it is the credit he deserves.”

Eboue made an instant impact when he joined the Gunners but the arrival of gifted right-sided players like Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott saw him struggle to maintain a pivotal position in the team.

Wenger has never doubted Eboue’s importance to the team, however, and is hinting that he is going to keep the versatile player in the side in an attacking role.

He said: “If you ask him, he prefers to play at right back. But I like him as well in midfield because when you look at the number of games we have won with him in that position, you will see that his numbers are good. He is a good football player and where you see him stand in the opposition box against two players, you know he will pass.”

Meanwhile on the championship chase, Wenger said the fact there were no more fixtures against the “big four” could give the Gunners the edge.

“It’s better for sure. You know if you play Manchester United and Chelsea and Liverpool statistically you will drop points. We promise to play our best in every game until the end of the season and go as far as we can.”