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LoginWenger: Lay Off Eboue
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit back at waves of criticism calling for Emmanuel Eboue to be dropped from the side, and particularly, the midfield.
Eboue, traditionally a right-back, has been deployed in right wing for much of the season, to the behest of many Arsenal fans and pundits.
While there have been calls for youngster Theo Walcott to permanently take up the position or for a new signing to be brought in, many have maintained that Eboue does not make the grade in that position, particularly due to his lack of offensive contribution to the team.
Wenger, however, has refuted the claims that Eboue is useless for the team, reminding all that his side are still a potent attacking force even with the Cote d'Ivoire international on the right flank, insisting it is done for the balance of the team.
"If you look at the number of goals we scored you will see we are near the top of the League. A team is first of all a balance, that's why I am not a fan of going into any individual case," explained Wenger.
"You don't always play a player because he scores goals, you play him because he gives you a balance to the team. We play in a very attacking style and Eboue gives us defensive balance."
The Arsenal boss compared Eboue to Ray Parlour, who was a key component in Arsenal's midfield in previous years. However, while the Romford Pele, as he was known, did play in right wing, more often than not he was deployed centrally, alongside Patrick Vieira, with Fredrik Ljungberg and Robert Pires occupying the wing slots, so whether the Professor's analysis is quite true to life is another matter.
"Ray Parlour did not score many goals on the right side of midfield," noted the Frenchman. "You look at the numbers and you will be surprised but for me he was a great player for Arsenal Football Club.
"You can not only go on the goals and assists, you must look at the efficiency of the whole team. That's why Ray Parlour was a great player for us and why Eboue helps us too.
"What counts is how many goals a team scores as a unit and how many chances we create. On that front we can compete with everybody in the League."
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