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.
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.
Eboue then joined Arsenal from Belgian side Beveren for an undisclosed fee in January 2005, where he had scored four goals in 65 appearances.
The player had been on trial at Highbury from the Gunners' feeder club the previous summer, featuring in six pre-season friendlies during which the team remained unbeaten.
Eboue started the FA Cup game against Stoke, playing 71 minutes before being replaced by Justin Hoyte.
He started the next two FA Cup games before being handed his Premiership debut as a 75th minute replacement for Kolo Toure in a 1-1 draw at Southampton in February - his last appearance of 2004/05.
His 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, handed his first Premiership start at Liverpool as the Gunners went down 1-0 in February.
From then on Eboue was a fixture in the Arsenal side, allowing them to eventually let veteran Gunner Lauren join Portsmouth for the second half of the 2006/07 season. Eboue's marauding runs from the right-back position make him a danger to opposition defences, but he was never that assured in a defensive role.
This prompted Arsene Wenger to dip into the transfer market for Frenchman Bacary Sagna in summer 2007, and Eboue played right-wing for much of the season. In fact, even after an injury to Sagna, Wenger decided to play Kolo Toure at right-back rather than risk his Ivorian team-mate.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment