Redemption

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
19 Sep	3:00 PM	P	Wigan Athletic (H)	4	0	Win

Trudging sadly from the pitch, the boos of thousands of Arsenal fans ringing in his ears, Emmanuel Eboue cut a disconsolate figure against Wigan at the Emirates Stadium. Never one of Arsenal's more consistent performers to put it mildly, the right-back turned right-midfielder had just served up one of the most abject, disinterested, abysmal performances that any of the attending Arsenal fans had ever had the misfortune to witness.

Having come on as a substitute, Eboue was himself withdrawn by his disappointed manager, and the response from the home crowd left absolutely no doubt that the Ivorian's days at the London club were numbered. And yet, less than one year on, Emmanuel Eboue could hold his head high after an impressive, goal-scoring display against the same opponents was recognised by applauding, appreciative Arsenal fans.

Truly, his has been a remarkable turnaround. Always an individual who divided opinions amongst the Gooner faithful, Eboue's lacklustre performances in the year or so leading up to that fateful meeting with Wigan had begun to grate. He was lazy, he gave the ball away, his positional sense was careless, his tackling reckless, and his penchant for diving well-documented and equally well-disliked. In short, almost nobody who followed the Gunners, and even less people who didn't, could fathom what on earth he brought to the team and why on earth Arséne continued to play him.

Unlike certain other players, Eboue did not buckle under the undoubtedly painful criticism from the fans. He could have cut his losses and moved on. Few would have blamed him. He could have lashed out at the fans in interviews, or blamed them for his loss of form. He did not. Eboue resolved to knuckle down and reward Wenger's faith, and to prove that what he might lack in technical ability was more than made up for by spirit, work-ethic and passion.

Against Blackburn Rovers in March, it became apparent that Eboue's unwillingness to fall apart in the face of that negative reaction had actually resulted in his becoming somewhat of a cult hero amongst the very supporters who had signalled their displeasure at his previous attitude and form (or lack thereof). Not only did he score twice, to the evident joy of the fans, but after the second the stadium announcer declared the goalscorer as, "Number 27, the Arsenal goal-machine, Emmanuel Eboue!" Clearly, the Ivorian's reputation, seemingly tarnished beyond repair back in December, had undergone something of a resurgence.

Of course, while his attitude had improved markedly, it was still uncertain as to whether Eboue had the requisite ability to justify his inclusion in Arsenal's team. Other than being a fairly useful back-up for Bacary Sagna, could he slot into Arsenal's flair-filled side? Going forward, ahead in the pecking order of Eboue are Andrey Arshavin, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby, Denilson ... Given that Arsenal's areas of weakness are, or at least were, in central defence and central midfield, it was not unreasonable to assume that in the summer Eboue would be offloaded and the money from his transfer used to strengthen the squad in those departments.

Not a bit of it. Eboue has endured, and as a result had earned the new-found respect of Gooners even before his barn-storming appearance against Wigan today. He fully deserved the fortune of his goal, coming as it did courtesy of adding the slightest of deflections to Eduardo's keeper-bound shot. Aside from an unlucky booking for handball in the first half, his 72 minutes were virtually flawless, a lesson in how to perform in the Arsenal red and white.

Constantly causing problems for Wigan's defence, Eboue's drive and attacking mindset were relentless. One good off-the-ball run in the first half was found by a defence-splitting pass from William Gallas, and Robin van Persie should have converted the Ivorian's square ball into another Arsenal goal but instead scooped his effort wide. The passage of play was representative of Eboue's all-round performance; movement, pace, vision and unselfishness. A year ago, such a description would have seemed fanciful at best.

Eboue again made way as a late substitute against Wigan, but there the similarities with his exit from the pitch a year ago end. Sure, he still likes a tumble, as evidenced by the absolutely laughable tumble at Old Trafford for which he was rightfully booked, but aside from that the man who departed the Grove today bears little resemblance to the man who was distraught at his treatment at the hands of fans a year ago.

Striding from the field against Wigan, with the appreciative applause from Arsenal fans echoing around the ground, Emmanuel Eboue could afford a wry smile. His redemption was complete.

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