Arsenal-Mania

Wenger's defence for Eboue

By Jonathan Chong on Friday, May 16, 2008

Manager Arsčne Wenger has leapt to the defence of Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue, who has come under heavy criticism from fans and football pundits alike.

The right-back has not endeared himself to the watching public with his theatrics on the field or his lack of goals, but Wenger is outlining the reasons why Eboue would always be selected for his team.

He says that Eboue is in the team to bring balance to the side, and not worry about having to score goals.

The Frenchman said: "If you look at the number of goals we scored you will see we are near the top of the League. A team is first of all a balance, that's why I am not a fan of going into any individual case.

"You don't always play a player because he scores goals, you play him because he gives you a balance to the team. We play in a very attacking style and Eboue gives us defensive balance.

"Ray Parlour did not score many goals on the right side of midfield. You look at the numbers and you will be surprised but for me he was a great player for Arsenal Football Club.

"You can not only go on the goals and assists, you must look at the efficiency of the whole team. That's why Ray Parlour was a great player for us and why Eboue helps us too.

"What counts is how many goals a team scores as a unit and how many chances we create. On that front we can compete with everybody in the League."

User Comments

19

mwamodo

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 10:19 PM - Reply

Its sad how pple forget so fast.remember when the gunners reached the champions league finals 2years ago,eboue was one of best of the time,now that he hasnt performed to some fans expections they want to get rid of him,just because of the theo has emerged.some of them are even rating him on his non-scoring record,if thats the criteria then what about gaels scoring record.every goal scored is a contribution of every player on the team-so dont kill their morale.Dont throw what you already have.

18

Joe

Posted on 19 May, 2008 at 01:10 PM - Reply

Sell him. He is absolutely useless! Sell him now. His value is just going to go down and down. We are better off without him.

17

Les

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 08:25 PM - Reply

It is a bit of a mystery why Arsene likes Eboue so much. One can see why he plays Eboue in preference to Walcott from the defensive point of view. He feels the midfield would be a bit too lightweight without him. But he is one of those frustrating good-but-not-good-enough players that over a season, a team challenging for the title probably can’t afford. He has no goal-scoring record to speak of, he isn’t great at going past players and his crossing ability - which can be good - has been desperately inconsistent of late. On the complete downside he has an attitude problem where he gets up to all sorts of antics, some of which could be read as malicious play. I think he is naive and immature more than anything – he gets wound up about the game one minute and seems to be sulking and not interested the next. He does have talent but is just too much hard work. There is an opportunity cost in keeping a player in place, hoping he will work out, where a new face could give the team a fresh dimension. A useful squad player, but if he can’t accept that – unfortunately, in that case, it’s time to cash in.

16

Tundesnipes

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 10:59 AM - Reply

I agree eboue brings balance to the team but what makes u win a match-the no of goals you are able to score,so we need a striker who can score at first touch

15

Patty

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 07:12 PM - Reply

Those who scores dont play alone??? Eboue is great we want him at emirates mr wenger.

14

MarkM

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 06:57 PM - Reply

Wenger's constant selection of Eboue is the one decision with which I've never agreed. He's not fast, is no great crosser of a ball, and isn't brilliant at beating defenders. It is beyond me how he keeps being chosen in preference to Theo Walcott. The one area Arsenal lacks, for all its good points, is true wingers.

13

Michael Gondwe

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 05:52 PM - Reply

You cannot expect all the playes to score. They play different roles in the team. Please leave him alone

12

AUGUSTINE CHINENYE OKEKE

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 05:14 PM - Reply

manager of the managers Arsene wenger has said it all . i very much agree with his idea.

11

Dan

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 03:51 PM - Reply

As great a manager as Wenger is, comparing Eboue to Ray Parlour is sacriligious in my eyes. One was a terrific, vaslty under-rated servant for the club. The other is an over-rated prima dona who shouldn't be anywhere near our side.

10

Philip Brady

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 03:37 PM - Reply

I would love to know that if it isnt goals hes needed for, what exactly is he in the team for then? Its obviously not for passing, or crossing, or beating players, or defending because hes now a right winger. Balance in the team is the only thing that makes sense, the weight of eboue balances the team from being amazing, to almost amazing.

9

Scott

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 03:13 PM - Reply

Bull . . . Wenger should admit he made a mistake in keeping Walcott on the bench too long in favor of Eboue. Regarding Parlour- we had a true left winger in Overmars so we really did not need Parlour to provide goals or crosses. Now our left winger has been Diaby and Rosicky-- hardly taditional wide men like Overmars. Eboue should provide cover for right back and central defensive midfield. Eboue should never play on the wing again.

8

Lukic

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 02:36 PM - Reply

please do not compare 'Romford Pele' Ray Parlour to Eboue. In our double winning season in 98 Ray was in double figures for goals and got Man of the Match in the FA Cup final

7

Clsmooth391

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 01:46 PM - Reply

That's waffle. He has fallen asleep when it comes to defending as well. We could have balance + assists & goals and that could have won us the league.

6

adeshomoye

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 09:59 AM - Reply

As usual, Wengers' well-thought out decisions display a clarity of thought that over-emotional fans can't grasp. Arsenal fans should stop having these knee-jerk reactions and being so short-sighted. Eboue was one of our best players two seasons ago. Many people recommended that we push him forward to utilize his incisivenes more. Wenger did just that and now the same people want him sold if we receive an offer. Some our fans are so short-sighted its unbelievable! You have a great coach and a good team just be a little patient.

5

Robert Moir

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 08:54 AM - Reply

Arsene is correct, Eboue brings balance to the team. For example, the others are good footballers, and he balances that out.

4

sb

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 08:45 AM - Reply

Eboue just needs to be natured to be a true professional. He can play good soccer, and create goals from the flanks on a good day, but lack of maturity and professionalism has caused him dislike from funs and pundits. A true professional never shows frustrations on the field of play or angered by missed chances, and that seems to be Eboue’s “specialty.

3

sb

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 08:43 AM - Reply

Eboue just needs to be natured to be a true professional. He can play good soccer, and create goals from the flanks on a good day, but lack of maturity and professionalism has caused him dislike from funs and pundits. A true professional never shows frustrations on the field of play or angered by missed chances, and that seems to be Eboue’s “specialty.

2

Dav

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 08:40 AM - Reply

I agree with Wenger, Eboue helps balance the qualities of the rest of the team with his own brand of inept passing and shooting and shocking attitude. Like our own Robbie Savage but without the hair or talent. Arsene knows but I think Eboue must be in his blind spot.

1

Luckyfrank

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 08:15 AM - Reply

What defensive balance are you talking about Mr wenger......... Eboue gives very little of anything defence or attack, how many times does he lose his man or fail to track back altogether i cant understand why you constantly pick him because its certainly not for balance, all you doing is weaking the team by selecting him. Let walcott start yes he wouldnt be the most defensive RM in the world but at least he would put away some of the chances he gets unlike eboue.......... Cop on arsene you make yourself look silly by selecting him