Emmanuel Eboue Bio Send To Friend  

One of Arsene Wenger's great value-for-money buys, Eboue's quality in defence and driving runs from right-back have brought praise from all quarters, though many question marks remain over the player's temperament. He began his career with ASEC Mimosas in the Ivory Coast before moving to Belgian side Beveren in 2002, having played 25 games and scored three goals.

Wenger signed Eboue for Arsenal in 2005 for a fee thought to be in the region of £1.5 million. After an outstanding showing for the Ivory Coast at the 2006 African Nations Cup, Eboue was put straight into the first team and he made himself a fixture in the Arsenal side. His 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 was relegated to a right-wing role for much of the 2007-08 season after the purchase of Bacary Sagna.

Eboue became a figure of dislike, even among his own fans, after some petulant displays and was even booed by the Gunners faithful before being substituted against Wigan in December 2008. But he has come back stronger this season and has been a regular fixture in the first-team squad. He won his first international cap with the Elephants in September 2004 in a World Cup qualifier against Sudan, which the nation won 5-0, and played in the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Strengths: Pace and power. Eboue shows no fear when running at players and can cross the ball well.

Weaknesses: A poor temperament and a propensity for indiscipline. He has also built a reputation for theatrics and diving that have made him unpopular among many Premier League fans.

Career High: Winning the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2005.

Career Low: Being booed by his own fans at Arsenal after being substituted against Wigan in 2008.

Style: Marauding right-back who is equally, if not more, adept at playing on the wing.

Quotes: "He did what you have to do - shut up, play and do well. The supporters are behind him because he plays well and with the right spirit." Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, September 2009.

Trivia: Eboue, along with then team-mate Kolo Toure were the only two successful penalty takers when the Elephants lost the 2006 African Nations Cup final to Egypt on a shoot-out.

Soccernet says: Definitely a danger going forward, but question marks remain over Eboue's defensive abilities, and these could be easily shown up if he's marking the likes of Kaka and Lionel Messi at the finals.