Wenger: Boos forced me to substitute Eboue

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
06 Dec	3:00 PM	P	Wigan Athletic (H)	1	0	Win

Manager Arsène Wenger says that he took the decision to substitute defender Emmanuel Eboue as he was starting to lose his focus and concentration due to criticism from the home crowd.

The Gunners held on for a nervy 1-0 win but the manager made the shock decision to replace Eboue late in the match as he felt that the boos from the home crowd was starting to affect his game.

Wenger said: "Yes it was a difficult decision. I felt he had completely lost his confidence and could not keep the ball anymore.

"Of course then he became a danger. I feel it was very sad but aswell I think the most important thing is that we won the game, whether he played a minute more or less at the end of the day it doesn't make a difference.

"I think when you are a fan you are behind your players and that is what you want them to do. On the other hand I believe that Eboue will come back and show how good a player he is.

"For me that has happened on every pitch in the whole world and the same fans will applaud him when he comes back and plays well.

"We started to lose balls in the middle of the park. I want to show him nothing, I want to win the game. Do you really think I am at the stage where I want to show a player something? What would I want to show him?

"I just think that it could have put our 90 minutes hard work in trouble and you want to save the game. He would be the first unhappy one if he loses the ball because it makes him lose confidence and the team can drop points.

"He is a sensitive boy who wants to do well and cares about the club. He was tired because he didn't play for a month and on top of that it is difficult when you have the crowd on your back.

"You do not want the fans to do it but if you say to do they have the right legally to do it, then of course they do.

"I don't remember [doing something like this before] because my memory is not perfect enough. I just felt it got to a point.

"I wanted to keep the player on to get the boos right, but when it goes as far as that it becomes a danger for the result and it is a relief for the player to come off.

"At the end of the day you want to make the right decision for the team."

User Comments

Femi

Posted on 8 Dec, 2008 at 07:13 AM - Reply

Wenger's a very fortunate man. First it was Gallas, now it's the fans. When will you see Wenger's fault in all this? He allowed the team to get out of hand by refusing to discipline them which frustrated Gallas. How could he have put Eboue in that position? If he had bought players wouldn't he have a better replacement? Now I see why it's difficult for Arsenal to do great things again. Nobody's saying it was good. The fans did not have Eboue in mind, they just vented their frustration on him. THE FANS HAVE A RIGHT TO BE FED UP! THE TEAM HAS REALLY HURT THEM. I THINK MOST OF YOU WHO WATCH MATCHES ON TV SHOULD FEEL FOR THOSE WHO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND GO THROUGH RAIN AND SUNSHINE, COLD AND HEAT TO BRING LIFE TO THE EMIRATES. THEY DESERVE BETTER. STOP BEING HYPOCRITES AND CALL WENGER TO ACCOUNT ALSO.

davie gunner

Posted on 8 Dec, 2008 at 05:57 AM - Reply

Absolutely pathetic......i admit the guy was below par but he was playing in an unfamiliar position and was coming from a long spell out. Fans should show more support

gooner 4 life

Posted on 8 Dec, 2008 at 03:41 AM - Reply

shame on everyone who booed eboue, he had just returned from a 6 week injury, he started the game ok, gave a good pass to denilson that almost saw adebayor score, and once the crowd started booing he lost his concentration, and almost caused the whole team to f**k up. even though he's done some stupid things in the past like diving, we as the fans should be behind him,not bloody booing him, he's not the best player in the team or one of my favourites, but he's one of us.

elninio

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 04:05 PM - Reply

As I have said on so many occasions... In the case of Eboue (and I am a little sad to say this) REALLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ARSENAL. Wenger has stuck with him and given him the belief and a vote of confidence in the past but PLEASE ARSENE... you might ruin his career if you keep letting him think he is good enough to play for the Arsenal. Quite clearly he is not!!!!!!!!!! Boos were OTT but I think thats Arsene's fault for keeping him in the squad. O.K we may not see him in training everyday but we see him when it counts and in those games I watch him play he cannot cut the mustard. Let him go so he can find a club more suited to his talents.

Jon Powell

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 02:17 PM - Reply

Anyone who booed Eboue yesterday shout go support the scum do the road. The guy wasn't fit and tried his best even when energy levels reached empty. I hope he comes back and rams those boos down your throats!!!

Mark Adams

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 07:01 AM - Reply

I can't believe the way Eboue was treated. If a player is having a bad time he needs encouragement and support, not that sort of response. It's an awful way to treat another human being.

Harry barracuda

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 06:43 AM - Reply

To the arseholes that cheered his substitution. You call yourselves Arsenal fans and yet you boo one of your own players?

FUCK OFF AND SUPPORT TOTTENHAM YOU SNIVELLING CUNTS!

ferdinand

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 06:19 AM - Reply

i want to apologise to eboue on behalf of my stupid family who were part of the booing contigent,my children are part of the new generation of arsenal fans who dont have any idea of what it means to be a gooner.my spoilt brats cant name even name a full arsenal squad coz they dont know shit abt arsenal and its history.they are grounded until after the next arsenal home game.booing eboue was the most sickening thing this season worse than the defeat to hull at the emirates.the crowd was a disgrace to football.

Moses kiplagat

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 05:49 AM - Reply

i was pissed by the dick heads that are the fans at the emirates.arsenal is not performing well at home becoz of the stupid ticket holders,i 'd rather we play our home games behind closed doors.booing of players was the most idiotic expression the 12th man can exhibit.eboue did some mistakes,yes,but he did play well on the left.i guess this is down to racial discrimination,coz eboue is african.why then should we think of winning trophies as a team.

Yogi Bear

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 05:20 AM - Reply

Absolutely disgusting why boo your own team? you fans make me sick you dont love the club or support it. When times are difficult the team need our support more then ever, not our criticism. What productivity can come out of booing? Craven bloody cottage is louder then our ground but we can find the vocal cords to boo... ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC!!!!!!!

Nicky

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 03:23 AM - Reply

Utter disgrace. I'm ashamed of my fellow gunners.

jo

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 12:59 AM - Reply

its time us real gooners stood up to be counted and stop these morons from destroying our club! we need to support eboue

delboy

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 12:44 AM - Reply

I'm absolutely ashamed to call myself an arsenal fan after the treatment of eboue. It was nothing short of school yard bullying. He's not our greatest player but he's a work horse and was returning after 6 weeks out. Here's a word for so called supporters at the emerites. Sing more in support of the team and less booing one player. Shame on you!

steve

Posted on 7 Dec, 2008 at 12:03 AM - Reply

Eboue booed because he cheats. Diving play-acting and trying to get opposition players booked isn't the arsenal way. I felt bad for him but we've put up with his below par play for a long time.

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