Arsenal fans will miss Kolo Toure next month when he goes
to the African Nations...but how many will mourn the absence of
Emmanuel Eboue? He's that rarest of things - a very good player
whose moral deficiences make him unpopular even with his own
fans.
You will always find ManYoo fans who will defend Ronaldo, Chelsea
fans who will defend Michael Essien and even Rovers who will defend
Robbie Savage, but it's difficult to find a Gooner who will look
anything other than embarrassed when you mention Eboue.
Even Arsene Wenger gave him a public rebuke for the dive that led
to Arsenal's Champions League final opener in Paris, but that has
not deterred him from making a habit of outrageous simulation,
running 50 yards to get involved in rucks that don't concern him,
niggling and needless fouls and now somehow escaping even a booking
for raising his hands to Emanuel Pogatetz in frustration.
The fact that he was hauled off after an hour against Boro by
Wenger suggested that the Frenchman was happy to mete out his own
punishment to a player who has impressed and disappointed in equal
measure since his arrival at Arsenal.
Assuming that Alex Hleb will soon return to the Arsenal line-up,
there will surely be no tears shed when Eboue boards a plane to
Africa. For every dangerous foray to the byline, there's a
ridiculous leap to the floor clutching his face.
How many other fans are thoroughly embarrassed by the antics of one
of their own? Wigan fans need not answer - we'll just assume you're
ashamed of T*tf*** Bumble.
Sarah Winterburn
