Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Tuesday October 20 2009
Time: 1:03PM
UK time is: 00:46:22
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Eboue Turns Around Arsenal Career
Much maligned Arsenal player, Emmanuel Eboue has completed a magnificent transformation of his Gunners career after a turbulent couple of seasons saw him booed and chastised at every opportunity.
The climax for this orgy of hatred aimed at the Ivorian came as Arsenal triumphed 1-0 over Wigan at the Grove last season. Eboue came on as a substitute, but was visibly distraught after being a taken off again a while later after playing .... well let's say 'not very well' and was roundly booed by the Gooners.
Eboue had also angered Arsenal supporters after stupidly getting sent off in a fiery North London derby, getting himself booked for diving only days after 'Eduardogate' and general twattishness on the pitch. The utility player however didn't storm off crying like other players we could mention, he knuckled down and got his career back on the right track.
Despite being extremely upset by the reaction of the Arsenal fans, Eboue has now thanked the Ashburton faithful for helping him through a difficult period where, by his own admission, his performances weren't up to scratch.
'For me I just want to say thank you to my boss and the fans because they help me a lot,' he said.
'I was very disappointed with my performance last season, but now I feel I am doing very well. I want to give my best when I play for myself and the fans.'
I think Eboue has shown tremendous mental strength to resurrect his Arsenal career, and not only has he turned it all around, but the main reason people buy match tickets now because they've 'only come to see Eboue'.
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Your Comments
There are few things worse than having a cheat on my team, and Eboue was a massive cheat. But kudos to the man, he has turned it round, he's made a quantum leap in his career by changing his attitude, and that has had a positive effect on his aptitude as well.
Much as I disagree with the relentless barracking from sections of our own fans, I must admit that it has worked and must be credited with the change in his character.
deledudu
I was at the game on saturday and it was quite warming to see the reaction Eboue had when he was subbed. I've often said that Eboue's just not good enough to play for us (tho I'd never ever have booed him), but so far this season he's been a different player. No throwing himself to the floor and howling like he'd been shot (or at least a lot less) and he seems to put more of an effort into his play.
scooch
Eboue was a great Right Back and the change to Mid was a but rough but he has akways been a very good player. Nuff respect to him for playing through what happened to him last season and getting the fans back on his side. Now this is how you respond to adversity, city cry baby!
Paulsito
Eboue's story is the perfect riposte to all those who trash gooners for abusing poor suffering Ade. I agree with the condemnation of the fans who abused Eboue at Wigan - but let's recall why they responded the way they did. We were having a horrible run of games, finishing in the top 4 was in serious doubt. We were holding onto a very slim 1-0 lead and it looked like we could concede any minute. On came Eboue, who'd been out for weeks due to injury. He proceeded to have some kind of insane brain freeze -- not just constantly gifting the ball to opponents in dangerous positions but actually tackling our own players (like Kolo who, at one point, looked at him in shock and kept trying to settle him down). We were very close to equalizing and Eboue was seriously jeopardizing the result. The crowd kept shouting for AW to take him off. I really do think it likely that if he'd stayed on, Wigan would've scored. We simply could not afford another draw or loss. Eboue was humiliated and hurt, but he put his head down and refocused his efforts on winning back the fans. And enuf gooners felt badly enuf to make amends (esp. at the next away game). I love that "you're only here to see Eboue!" chant. What Ade received was pollyanna stuff compared to what Eboue endured but he won back the fans, and he's regularly applauded now. And he's played well ever since (just no more diving, Emmanuel, please).
jaelle
CORRECTION: "who abused Eboue at Wigan" -- oops, I know the game wasn't "at Wigan," it was at the Grove.
jaelle
Eboue should be a politician, he never answers questions directly, just gives a positive canned statement with a slight reference to the question - I like Eboue over Sagna this year against the smaller teams, he offers more going forward
bootoo
Also, it's fascinating to see how Arsene has decided to alternate Eboue and Sagna in the RB role between the league and cup competitions.
jaelle
I'm very impressed with Eboue this season, and its remarkable that a player has basically forced this change of opinion among fans. In the summer, I didnt want Wenger to sell him, as he is the most versatile squad player for us. He can do an adquate job in 3 positions and squads need that kind of player. He still dives once in a while (yellow against ManU), but its certainly not as much as before. I only hope he keeps this going for the rest of this season.
prits
He dived again tonight against AZ. Annoying. C-r-a-p game, and we conceded a goal with something like 50 seconds to go to the final whistle. Poor stuff. Still, Liverpool and Barca both lost at home and Inter drew at home. So if we were poor, we're in good company.
jaelle
But that equalizer was truly shocking. To let one in like that shows the old failings of lack of concentration. Hard to see us getting further than the qtrs. Not ruthless enough.
Wyn Mills
I'd like to mention that Eboue was the only Arsenal player who came over to acknowledge us travelling supporters in Holland after the final whistle.
Little Dutch
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