Source: PA
No lethal intent in Eboue challenge
Emmanuel Eboue has defended his scissor tackle on Liam Ridgewell by insisting that he did not "want to kill" the Birmingham player in Saturday's Emirates Stadium clash.
The Arsenal midfielder clattered into the back of Ridgewell with both feet in Saturday's 2-1 win, which also saw Jack Wilshere dismissed for a reckless tackle on Nikola Zigic.
Eboue received only a yellow card for the challenge on Ridgewell but the 27-year-old admitted that referee Martin Atkinson had taken him aside after the match to warn him the tackle was dangerous.
Eboue admits he may have to temper his fast-paced approach to the game as a result but maintains that there was no malice in the challenge.
"When I tackled him I didn't want to kill him," said Eboue. "When I did that tackle I didn't go through the back. I just wanted to touch the ball.
"The referee spoke to me after the game and said, `Emmanuel I know you touched the ball but the tackle was very dangerous'. I just said, `Okay, no problem'. Next time I will be more careful."
