Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Eboue offered boss' backing

07 Dec 2008 - 11:21:33

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger defended Emmanuel Eboue after replacing the substitute during the narrow 1-0 home victory over Wigan Athletic.

Eboue was introduced just past the half-hour mark due to an injury to Samir Nasri, but was taken off just before the end after making a series of errors and being barracked by sections of the home fans.

However, Wenger said: "It was a difficult decision, but he had completely lost his confidence. He couldn't keep the ball any more and had become a danger.

"I just didn't want the 90 minutes' work to go to waste. The fans contributed. He's a sensitive boy who wants to do well and he cares about the club.

"It was very sad but the important thing was that we won the game.

"Yes I felt the criticism was very unfair because he finished the game very tired and gave absolutely everything.

"Not only was he tired, he lost his confidence and that becomes a danger, so the best thing was to try and win the game and get him off.

"I can understand him going straight down the tunnel because the crowd were very hard on him.

"I think he will come back and show how good a player he is. The same fans will applaud him when he does well."