Emmanuel Eboue Bio Send To Friend  

If Cesc Fabregas was the find of 2004-05 for Arsenal, then Eboue was most probably the emerging player of 2005-06, although he has struggled to live up to the standard since.

Thrust into the first team ahead of time by injuries to several Arsenal defenders, including Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy, Lauren and Kerrea Gilbert, Eboue's quality in defence and driving runs from right-back brought praise from all quarters.

However, with manager Arsene Wenger unsure of his defensive capabilities and questionable temperament (prompting the purchase of right-back Bacary Sagna in summer 2007), Eboue was shifted to the right wing for the majority of the 2007-08 season and has had a limited impact on the first-team.

He began his career with ASEC Abidjan in the Ivory Coast before moving to Belgium in 2002, having played 25 games and scoring three goals.

Eboue won his first international cap with the Ivory Coast in September 2004 in a World Cup qualifier against Sudan, which the nation won 5-0 and then joined Arsenal from Beveren for an undisclosed fee in January 2005.

His early Arsenal career turned on two things. Firstly, the injuries to other Arsenal defenders. And secondly, a superb showing for the Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup in Egypt in early 2005. The Ivory Coast reached the final where they lost to the hosts on a penalty shootout and the young defender was impressive throughout.

On his return to England he was put straight into the first team and he made himself a fixture in the Arsenal side. Eboue's marauding runs from the right-back position made him a danger to opposition defences, but he was never that assured in a defensive role and he was relegated to a right-wing role for much of the season upon the purchase of Sagna.

Signing a new long term deal in April 2007, Eboue is viewed as an excellent squad player by his manager, although has forged a reputation for being one of the most temperamental, hot-headed and petulant players in the League and does not hold much of a place in Gunners fans' hearts either.