Long-term contract for Eboué as Arsenal
work to keep youngsters
The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has rewarded his full-back
Emmanuel Eboué with a new long-term deal, having signed the
23-year-old from the Belgian club Beveren two years ago. The club
have not revealed the length of the new deal, although it will
surely keep the Ivorian at the club for the foreseeable
future.
The Ivory Coast international played in the World Cup last year and
was in the starting XI for the Champions League final. He retained
his place at right-back for Arsenal even after the return to
fitness of the veteran Cameroonian Lauren, who was eventually
released to join Portsmouth.
Wenger remains a staunch supporter of the young players in his
squad, having sought to build a team for the future following the
club's move to their new Emirates Stadium and the ongoing financial
commitments that came with it. Wenger clearly believes the young
defender has a bright future ahead, despite the club not revealing
the length of the "long-term contract".
Another young Gunner hoping for a regular first-team place next
season is Johan Djourou. The Swiss defender, 20, made 30
appearances this season, mostly at centre-back and said: "I am very
proud of my season. I am only 20 and I have played a lot of games
in the Premiership."
Arsenal are close to signing the Poland goalkeeper Lukasz
Fabianski, 22, from Legia Warsaw, but the futures of the on-loan
Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista and winger José Antonio Reyes,
currently at the Bernabéu, remain undecided.
