Sat 11th September 2010; 15:00, Emirates Stadium
Archive for Profiles
Profile: Marouane Chamakh, Arsenal’s Next Signing
Posted by: | CommentsA few Stone Cold Arsenal readers have asked about Chamakh, what type of player he is and what he could bring to Arsenal. As the deal is almost done and Chamakh is set to become an Arsenal player, we thought we’d share our two cents about the Moroccan star.
Moroccan star, Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh was born on 10th January 1984 to Moroccan parents in Tonneins, a small town 75 miles south east of Bordeaux. At the age of 16, he entered the academy of Girondins de Bordeaux and a year later he started playing in their reserve team.
It took him only one more season to join the club’s professional squad and he played his first game in the top flight barely a month after his 19th birthday. During that 2002-03 season, he played in 10 league matches and scored one goal.
The subsequent season, despite the arrival of a new manager, Chamakh confirmed his status as a first team player, taking part in 25 matches in the league and 8 in the UEFA Cup, scoring 10 goals in the process. Having opted to play for Morocco (he has a dual French and Moroccan nationality), he reached the final of the 2004 African Cup of Nations with Les Lions d’Atlas, but lost 2-1 to the host nation, Tunisia.
His performances and the 10 goals he scored in the 33 league games that he played in 2004-05 drew the attention of French champions Lyon. Chamakh wanted to go but Bordeaux were reluctant to sell him. The young and promising striker was unsettled and was relegated to the bench for the best part of the following season.
Nonetheless, he made a further 29 appearances and scored 7 goals, with Bordeaux finishing as runners-up in the league.
During the 2006-07 season, he got his first taste of the Champions League but Bordeaux were no match for Liverpool and PSV, although they beat Galatasaray to third spot in the group stage. Chamakh, who had only scored 5 league goals, was offered a new contract until June 2010.
The 2007-08 season was a turning point for Bordeaux, who appointed Laurent Blanc as their new manager but was somewhat unremarkable for Marouane who only managed 4 goals in 32 league games and as many in 7 UEFA Cup matches.
The following season, Bordeaux were back in the Champions League and had Yoann Gourcuff on loan from AC Milan. The two players hit it off and led Bordeaux to their first champions title in ten years, breaking Lyon’s uninterrupted seven-year dominance of French football. On the score sheet, Chamakh was back to double figures finding the net 13 times in 34 league appearances.
As soon as the title was secured, Marouane publicly stated his desire of leaving the club and Arsenal emerged as the most likely destination. However, Bordeaux who had exercised their buyout option to hold on to Gourcuff, were desperate to keep Chamakh on board too.
Whatever happened behind the scenes, Arsenal gave up on signing the striker, who then chose to stay at Bordeaux to see out his contract but refused to sign a new deal. It is probably fair to say it was around that time that the Moroccan international’s reputation in Europe started going beyond the French borders.
Not a typical goal poacher, Chamakh is comfortable playing as a target man. His obvious strength is his aerial game, not only because he culminates at 6ft2” but also thanks to his great leap and timing.
Chamakh may not be as clinical a finisher as Torres or Drogba (and clearly adequate training will help him improve that part of his game), but he is far from being clumsy with the ball at his feet and has the ability to keep it, to dribble past opponents and to link up with teammates.
Most importantly he has the intelligence and the coolness for making the right decision, even under pressure, and is rarely caught giving the ball away cheaply.
He is also a combative player, a fighter in the very noble sense of the term and he is not afraid of harassing the opponent’s defenders. All these qualities make up for his relative lack of pace, which is the only real flaw in his game.
This season, Marouane has scored 5 goals in 9 Champions League appearances and so far 10 goals in 37 league games. Bordeaux have already surrendered their title to Marseille and there is no doubt that Chamakh will be a Gunner next season, joining Arsenal as a free agent.
To impose himself in the Premier League, Chamakh may need to make his tall frame a bit more muscular but the most important aspect of his integration is likely to be his understanding with at least one of the current key players.
Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri have already welcomed him but it will be interesting to see how he will be used by the manager and whether his incorporation will induce, at times, a shift in the style of play or even a change of the system if he ever becomes indispensable to the team.
Marouane seems to be the type of player who needs the confidence of his manager and his teammates to do well. At Bordeaux, the players, the technical staff and the fans hold him in high regard and the reception he got for his last home game was a testimony not only to his achievements on the pitch but also to his human qualities.
It is worth noting that as a practicing Muslim, Chamakh does not drink alcohol and fasts during the month of Ramadan, which requires a specific training regime. This year Ramadan stretches from mid-August to mid-September and could impact the striker’s adaptation to the pace of the English game. Therefore we should not judge him too quickly, be patient and give him time to settle in.
With a first name that translates to “rock”, one can hope that Chamakh will become the anchor of Arsenal’s strike force. I for one, welcome him and look forward to celebrating the many goals that hopefully he will score and set up.
Arséne Wenger, You Stand Accused – Part 1
Posted by: | CommentsAs another season concludes, the clouds gather over N5, less hope than before previous seasons seems to be prevalent this time though. It is hard to gauge the overall feel amongst fans, so extreme are interpretations of the status, potential and future of our club.
A full range of predictions are available, from Arsenal being well placed to be a super power for the next decade, through being a work in progress right down to the thoroughly disgusted and exasperated fans who feel that a substantial change is required in both the squad, but most significantly the manager’s position.
There are several charges laid at the door of Le Boss at the moment by those dissatisfied with his performance over the last few years.
I shall deal with them in a semblance of chronological order. I don’t imagine that there were too many dissenters around 2004, I think the rumblings seem to start at the end of the Invincibles side.
In the most iconic image of the season, Arséne Wenger remonstrates after being unreasonably sent to the stands at Old Trafford
Wenger – The Dismantler
I have read time and time again in the sports pages and on blogs the phrase “Wenger dismantled the Invincibles”. A hugely successful team, a team that made history of course, full to the brim of winners, of athletes, of strapping six footers. Of players that understood what it was to play for the Arsenal. And certainly they were.
However, Mr Wenger saw fit to take this team of men at the peak of their powers and scatter them to the four winds, to Spain, and Greece, and the west and east ends of London, the south coast, even put them out to pasture.
Is this really a fair charge? Even a sensible one?
In order to really analyse this criticism, let us take the main figures in that ’Invincibles’ side, case by case;
Jens Lehman
His time was up early in the 2007/08 season after a couple of costly errors saw Almunia given the goalkeepers position. Firstly, this was now three seasons after the unbeaten run, and Jens was now 38 years old, I think it’s fair to say that his time at this level of competition was drawing to a conclusion.
Given that in that season we put up a considerable title charge, I think we can say that (at the time) Almunia was worth his starting place.
Bisan Lauren
Sadly, Lauren’s time at Arsenal came to a close after a huge amount of time out with a knee injury, and left in January 2007 for Portsmouth. At the time Eboue had featured prominently in the run to Paris in 2006, and in my opinion looked a phenomenal prospect at right back.
Since then of course we have also had Bacary Sagna join the team, and he certainly has been solid, if not always hitting the heights of his first season.
Ashley Cole
There really isn’t much to be said here. I certainly don’t think Arsene can be held culpable for this departure in 2006.
Sol Campbell
Well, perhaps now he’s back and been a real injection of fighting spirit as well as putting in some outstanding performances (his goal celebration at Stoke will stay with me as an iconic Gooner moment, where the players and fans are in total empathetic harmony), this could be perceived to have been a massive loss.
However, at the time, I feel that the club treated him well. I’m still not entirely sure what was at the root of his loss of form, I believe he was having personnel problems. Gallas was brought in that summer, and at the time this seemed more than adequate replacement for a player who seemed to be on the wane.
Kolo Toure
A substantial profit has been made on a player who it is looking very much like we got the best years out of. A real Wenger find, a right midfielder transformed into a calm centre half, who never really asserted himself, but was a superb player to have alongside a more naturally gifted defender.
His timing & commitment could be outstanding at times, and he is a player I thought would finish his career at Arsenal. The big money came knocking, and the chance of a final payday as well as the disharmony with Big Bad Billy G saw Kolo skipping up the M1 with a certain Mr. Adebayor.
This of course has seen Thomas Vermaelen take over at the back, and he certainly looks like a significant improvement.
Freddie Ljungberg
Freddie is another player in this list, who was into his twilight time at Arsenal when he left. He participated in the first season at the Emirates, but had been injured consistently for some time, and had certainly lost some of his “mojo”.
Alex Hleb, was starting to produce some fine performances, and gave the side a capacity to beat a man in a fashion we have not had consistently for some time. A fabulous dribbler of the ball, although infuriating at times, between him, Eboue & Theo we had cover on the right side when he left in 2007.
The Arsenal 'Invincibles' Team - Premier League Champions 2003 - 2004
Robert Pires
In my opinion, Bobby Pires is the only member of the ’Invincibles’ who left too early, directly as a result of club policy. So many times the season after leaving Highbury I saw the ball roll diagonally, and fruitlessly past the far post, exactly where super Bob would normally be gliding towards to steer it home.
His reception when we played Villareal last year was incredible and deserved and I feel warmer than those extended to Vieira and Henry for this reason. Both Henry and Vieira had courted moves, and this took a little sheen from their return. Tomás Rosicky’s addition to the squad tempered the loss, but Pires’s quality and value to the squad was a big gap to fill.
Patrick Vieira
I don’t think there’s much doubt that Patrick left at a good time, the previous summer’s wrangling over his transfer didn’t sit well, and although he has seen some success since he left, most people will agree his impact on games was diminished.
Who can forget the game against Juventus when he was disposed by Pires of all people? A sublime tackle that was the origin of a passage of play that led to Juventus chasing shadows before Cesc Fabregas slotted in a peach of a goal from just outside the box.
Gilberto Silva
After Pires, I think Gilberto Silva was the only other player who maybe would have been of benefit to keep within the squad. With the clumsy manner of the captaincy being given to Gallas coupled with the energetic rise of Flamini, I think his days were numbered at the club.
Dennis Bergkamp
Well, there was a wonderfully symmetrical sense of destiny with Dennis choosing to hang up his boots to coincide with the retirement of Highbury. Certainly his playing time was largely reduced, especially with Reyes still looking to be an excellent attacking player, and also Adebayor arriving and having a minor impact.
Thierry Henry
As with Vieira, Titi’s courting episode with Barcelona the previous summer had meant this wasn’t as crushing as it might have been. It even seemed the season afterwards that his presence had been a hindrance.
I remember on several occasions in his final year with us, he looked disinterested, although he was still producing the goods in bursts; his demeanour can’t have been a positive influence in the dressing room or on the pitch.
So overall after Vieira left having lifted the FA Cup, another 4 players left/retired in 2006, 2 in 2007, and by the start of the 2008/09 season only Kolo was left. Most of these players were the wrong side of thirty at the time of departure, and although valuable experience was undoubtedly lost, it is worth noting that after Henry left a substantial title challenge was registered.
I would say that the departures after the 2007-2008 season were more damaging in a way, losing Matthieu Flamini, Lassana Diarra, Gilberto Silva & Alex Hleb meant that only Cesc Fabregas remained of that midfield after Rosicky succumbed to the early stages of his injury problems.
I would never wish to seem that I am rewriting history, or bad mouthing former players who gave us all so much success, and played for the Arsenal with outstanding distinction. I am merely using these points to illustrate what I consider to be an injustice towards the manager.
Saying that he dismantled the Invincibles almost implies Arséne Wenger is some sort of saboteur.
The ’Invincibles’ team had peaked together for all our benefits, but sadly it faded together too, and the gradual disappearance was rather more organic than sometimes reported.
In the next instalment, we’ll examine the next charge laid at the feet of the Arsenal manaager, Mr. Arséne Wenger the Gambler.
Vote Emmanuel Eboue On May 6th
Posted by: | CommentsMy highlight of the pedestrian 0-0 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates on the 24th of April was the banner in the stands that screamed: ’VOTE EBOUE ON MAY 6th’.
The irony is not lost on Gordon Brown when a section of Arsenal fans clearly think Emmanuel Eboue has a better chance of becoming Prime Minister. I can just picture Arsenal’s resident comedian sitting back left in that Jaguar riding into Buckingham Palace on May 7th to formerly ask Aunt Liz for the keys to Downing Street.
But yet behind the satire and comedy, is the story behind one of the favourite chants of the season – ”We only came to see Eboue”.
Arsenal's 'Goal Machine' - Emmanuel Eboue
This season, the Ivorian has had the most remarkable transformation from ’villain du jour’ to cult hero at the Emirates. His lowest point was last season’s home tie against Wigan Athletic when he came on as a substitute and swiftly suffered the humiliation of being substituted himself for a woeful performance that could only be described as criminal.
When your fans boo you off the park, more often than not, the only way out is a transfer to another club, in another country. Extreme credit has to be given to Eboue for knuckling down, dealing with his demons and getting on with the job the manager requires of him.
It’s not that Eboue is a flashy player who employs jiggery pokery to mesmerize the opponent – far from that. I submit to you that he is one of the most valuable players any manager could want in a squad.
I say this because I believe he is one of the best utility players in the league. Very few players if any, can competently do a job in different parts of the field and be able to keep the team ticking.
Though Eboue ordinarily plays as a right full back, he is often employed as a right winger. He can also play left full back and in recent games, has covered the role of left winger. My sense is that if Wenger asked Eboue to stand in goal, the Ivorian will look at Vic Acres with that ”where are the gloves kept?” look.
There is a lot that the entire team can learn from this young man this season, and it’s not necessarily about the football. Eboue does a great job like many unsung heroes in the squad, most notably Neves Denilson, who keep the team ticking without any razzmatazz. Their job is not to go all ’Hollywood’ during the game, but it’s to do the simple efficient things that many don’t notice but are necessary to keep the team moving.
The Ivoirian’s determination to prove to the Arsenal faithful that he is worthy of an Arsenal shirt is laudable and shows a strength of character that some members in the team can emulate if they’re going to make the next step. Lukasz Fabianski for one can’t do any worse than ’doing an Eboue’
In Friday’s post, Saloner and other readers suggested that Fabianski will benefit from game time as opposed to warming the Arsenal bench, and perhaps a lone spell like his compatriot Tech 9 is doing at Brentford, is the right way to go for him to ’do an Eboue’.
A respectable performance in goal in the next two games against Blackburn Rovers and Fulham won’t do his confidence any harm. Despite the disappointment in the way the season has petered out for Arsenal, we have an expectation that the next two games will provide some joy and entertainment. Hopefully, we’ll get to see fringe players like Craig Eastmond and Carlos Vela get some game time and show us what the future holds.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to vote for Eboue on Thursday May 6th.
The Curious Case Of Sol Campbell
Posted by: | CommentsWho would have thunk it?
Not more than a few short months ago, the veteran England defender and former Arsenal vice-captain was getting accustomed to the reality of plying his trade in the 4th tier of the English football hierarchy.
Playing in front of a measly crowd of 6400 fans (and that’s 1200 if you get anal about just the ones who can sit) at Christie Park when Morecambe hosted his retirement club Notts County, was a far cry from the glory days that Campbell enjoyed at the top echelons of English football.
Many eyebrows were raised when Campbell sought a retirement package with the Magpies following the deceptive lure of his former England manager Sven Goran Erikson. The footballing world was left even more baffled when Campbell walked out of Meadow Lane into the reservation after only a few games, bringing his League 2 adventure to a premature end.
What people least expected was that Campbell would be playing in the Champions League again, not least for Arsenal. The distance between Meadow Lane and the Nou Camp isn’t just a literal one, it’s a journey never been travelled before and never likely to be travelled ever again.
The decision Sol Campbell took of returning to familiar surroundings in a bid to keep fit while on gardening leave was the start of a chain of events of such a remarkable revival. I was pleased about Wenger’s decision to grant Campbell’s request to train with the Arsenal team at London Colney to keep his fitness in check.
I never thought in a million years that the Arsenal manager would turn to the veteran defender to play a crucial role in the second half of Arsenal’s season. Besides, Wenger doesn’t do re-signings; well, at least that was his M.O up to that point.
I don’t doubt though that from a physical and mental point of view, Arsenal would have never called upon the services of Campbell if the staff at London Colney as well as the other Arsenal first teamers didn’t feel he was up to the job.
The fact that he’s still playing, albeit as cover for injured players, is a testament to him as a consummate professional and role model to many young players, not least in the Arsenal squad and academy.
I‘ll go as far as saying that the more games that Campbell has played, the better and sharper he has become. What he lacks in pace, he compensates with intelligence, and you really can’t ask for any more. I think it’s fair to say that Campbell has been Arsenal’s best player in April.
So what is it about this 35 year old veteran who refuses to go away with a whimper.
Recent reports suggest that Campbell is angling for a contract extension at Arsenal. In January, I would have questioned the wisdom of even contemplating giving Campbell more than a 5 month run out, but now, I think extending his contract for one year will be one of the best moves Arsene Wenger can make.
There’s just something about Sol that is infectious and my sense is that this young Arsenal squad needs to develop and nurture this characteristic. It’s a mental strength and fighting spirit that is different from what most of the young team have experienced, and it’s a determination to earn the right to wear the Arsenal shirt.
I don’t expect that Campbell would play many games in the new season, and I fully expect that Arsenal will sign a defender (maybe 2 if Gallas and Silvestre leave), but I would suggest that keeping Campbell in the squad will be one of the best moves Wenger can make to improve the squad.
I would also suggest that there is a level of respect that Campbell has earned by his endeavours these past few months and this stands him in good stead with his colleagues and Arsenal training staff. From this point of view, I would be very supportive of Campbell’s role at Arsenal evolving into a player/coach function and that he continues to influence the squad even if he is not on the pitch.
Wenger clearly trusts the veteran and I hope he can use him to bridge the gap between Arsenal’s reality and aspiration. What Sol has achieved in his few months back at Arsenal has in no way harmed his chances of continuing a long relationship with the club and extending his legendary status.
Coaching to me seems a natural progression for the 35 year old defender and where better to start this than at Arsenal. We couldn’t do any worse than having him impart his leadership skills, quality and fighting spirit to the team. Thomas Vermaelen for example, has already expressed his appreciation and acknowledgement of what Campbell brings to the team, and the fact that he is learning a great deal from the former England defender.
Meanwhile, there’s a small matter of a world cup a few weeks away. I’m shopping for a good price already because the hottest ticket in the book making industry will be the one holding the odds for Sol Campbell to be recalled to the England squad for the world cup.
It’s not just his form and dependability, Fabio Capello hasn’t been blind to the revival of the veteran and who would argue that Campbell’s form is not better than some of the inexperienced names being touted for defence duty for the 3 Lions.
Campbell’s fitness for example, is more of a certainty than that of the England captain Rio Ferdinand.
Wouldn’t it be great to see him complete the revival from Meadow Lane in the throes of the 4th tier of English football, to taking part in England’s bid for the ’Coupe du Monde’? Dare I even say crown it with a freak opportunity to captain the 3 Lions.
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Anatomy Of An Arsenal Doom And Gloom Merchant
Posted by: | CommentsIn recent times, you wouldn’t be mistaken if you thought you’d heard echoes of the chant ”Bring me the head of Arsene Wenger” bellowing in the alleys and corners around Holloway Road.
It’s the sort of chant derived from a lynch mob mentality of red-eyed, blood thirsty doom and gloom merchants who have perfected the art form of spitting fire and brimstone. They seek to rationalize their actions by suggesting that their collective negativity is indeed the true way to voice their passion and support for the club, and they dare anyone who would challenge their loyalty to the Arsenal.
I’m always reminded of the old adage that you should never under-estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers. Dooming and glooming in recent times has given credence to this very notion.
A natural response would be to take the view that the actions of this ’Armageddon’ brigade amounts to nothing but a hill of beans. Doing nothing though and failing to provide a voice of reason gives a modicum of credence to the doom Sayers.
Here’s a Stone Cold breakdown of the anatomy of the modern day Arsenal doom and gloom merchant:
Is It 3rd Time Lucky for Arsenal’s ‘Wookash’ Fabianski?
Posted by: | CommentsApril 18th 2009 and January 24th 2010 are two days ‘Wookash’ Fabianski dreads to recall, even though the former date is the Pole’s birthday.
It has something to do with the fact that on those two days, Arsenal were shown the exit sign and asked to unceremoniously leave the FA Cup. They were days that the young goal keeper had ’howlers’ that any professional sportsman would want to forget very quickly.
A mad rush of blood to the head from Wookash gifted an empty net to Drogba last April, and at the Britannia a few weeks ago – he wisened up to the folly of waiting for a Rory Delap throw to come to him.
Let’s face it – keeping goal is a thankless job. More often than not, the keeper spends long periods doing nothing constructive and requires constant discipline and focus to keep up with the game around them.
The problem for goalies is that mistakes they make or momentary lapses of judgement almost certainly end up with them picking the ball from the back of the net. Also, in this media savvy age where cameras cover every nook and cranny on the pitch, the actions or inactions of the goal keeper are easily amplified.
If Bob Wilson was keeping goal for Arsenal today and he had the howler that led to the goal at his near post in the 1971 cup final, Wilson would have had to go into exile, for the Sky cameras would have made is life a misery.
Goal keeping seems to be a subject that divides many observers when it comes to the Arsenal. I don’t recall it being that much of an issue in the past times of Lehmann, Seaman (who was the goalie that I most identified with), Jennings or Wilson.
There’s a cliché often used to say that a good goal keeper can save you at least 12 points a season, and Almunia doesn’t seem to jump out of the page for some when it comes to Arsenal goal keepers. Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 points saving interventions that Almunia made in 2010 – when Denilson collapsed and Everton had a one on one with him; saving Agbonlahor’s shot across goal at the match against Villa on 27th of Jan; and his fingertip save of Ryan Babel’s shot last week against Liverpool.
All of those saves prevented Arsenal from losing or drawing a match and gained us points in that respect. Even so, it’s more than likely that Almunia’s transgressions will be the more amplified for it’s those mistakes that end up with us conceding goals.
Fabianski has had his high profile moments to impress and he has shown signs of a great goal keeper, and signs of poor judgement on occasion. This is not uncommon for a 24 year old goal keeper, and I think it’s important to acknowledge that some things will only come with experience. Good judgement is one of those aspects that will only develop with time and mileage on the pitch.
For the record, I think Fabianski is a very good keeper and will become one of the best keepers in the world. You can see this when he has a good game – the way he commands the box and the way he marauds around like he owns that piece of real estate within the box; the way he comes for crosses and the way he sweeps behind his defensive high line; and his general presence in the box.
What has eluded him so far is the consistency in good decision making. His individual skill and agility is not in question. The only way we’re going to find out if Wookash is really the answer to Arsenal’s goal keeping dilemma is to let him get on with it.
Some may argue that he’s not yet there and needs some more experience, but short of farming him out on loan at the risk of not having a 2nd choice keeper – Wenger seems to be convinced that the Pole is a good enough understudy to Almunia.
The manager has certainly gone out of his way to pump up Wookash by waxing lyrical about his ability to hold the fort. Definitely good people management and confidence building skills on the part of the manager.
My sense is that if the team defends properly as a unit and each person takes their responsibility seriously, it will make the life of a goal keeper a hell of a lot easier. There will be times during the game that the keeper is called upon to do something extra-ordinary and it’s on those occasions that Wookash can stand up to be counted.
Maybe tonight is a chance to prove that it’s 3rd time lucky for him and he can help propel Arsenal to a good position before the return leg against Porto in 3 weeks time.
ACN Watch: Emmanuel Eboue and Cote d’Ivoire
Posted by: | CommentsIt seems just like yesterday when festivities in Ghana culminated in a final that pitted Cameroon, 4 time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations crown, against Egypt, the most successful African nation in the tournament. Egypt went on to win their 6th title since the inception of the biennial competition in 1957.
We’re at it again, this time in Angola. Arsenal has only 2 players representing their respective countries this time round, and whilst they’ll be thoroughly missed in the cold throws of the English Premier League – it’s always positive for our players to have good games in continental tournaments. The confidence and experience that they pick up in such tournaments bodes well for Arsenal and makes them better players all round.
In 2 instalments, I’ll briefly examine the prospects that Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon have during this world cup year. Both of these countries have qualified for the World cup finals in South Africa, and the Arsenal stars – Emmanuel Eboue for Cote d’Ivoire and Alex Song for Cameroon – are pivotal players for their country.
Cote d’Ivoire
Ivory Coast are considered by many bookmakers as outright favourites to win the Africa cup of nations. The most logical reason given for this is their star studded squad of elite players and their free flowing football. I don’t think that it’ll be that straight forward for them and it’s somewhat simplistic to look at the team sheet and say that the Ivory Coast ’Elephants’ are strong on paper. Football is played on grass, and I believe the Cameroonian’s, Egyptians and the ’Black Stars’ of Ghana will have something to say about the final destination of the ACN title.
Emmanuel Eboue
Nevertheless, with Didier Drogba, Salamon Kalou, Kolo Toure, Emanuel Eboue, Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora and many other stars seen week in week out in European club football – the ’Elephants’ will pull in the crowds. From the point of view of a spectacle, Vahid Halilhodzic’s team does carry the sign ’Come see Hollywood here’ if you will.
Ivory Coast had a pretty straight forward 2nd round qualification root to the tournament collecting 12 points as group leaders in an undefeated campaign against Mozambique, Botswana and Madagascar. In the 3rd round qualification, which also saw them qualify for the World cup finals, they coasted past Guinea, Malawi and Burkina Faso.
In Angola, the ’Elephants’ face Togo in the opening game of the tournament. They will also face Burkina Faso and The ’Black Stars’ of Ghana.
Expectations are high, especially with the combination of the Yugoslav coach Halilhodzic, and a group of players perceived to be the most talented in Africa. Halilhodzic is renowned for running a tight ship and employing no nonsense boot camp tactics in training. With this being his first major tournament as manager of the ’Elephants’, much is expected from both team and manager. Although this is Ivory Coast’s 18th appearance in this tournament, they’ve only won the competition once in 1992. However, the expectation, especially after their humiliating exit last time round at the hands of Egypt is quite high – no pressure there for Emmanuel Eboue and his team-mates then.
Eboue will join former Arsenal star Kolo Toure in defence and the tournament is undoubtedly a stage for Eboue to express himself. Last season, no one would have blamed the young man if he wanted to throw in the towel and move away from Arsenal, especially after a nightmare of a game against Wigan Athletic, when Wenger substituted him for well, his own safety. He had a howler of a match and was booed off the pitch by the Emirates faithful.
Eboue though, has knuckled down and proven to himself, his team mates and Arsenal fans that he indeed has value to add to our Arsenal team. Not only is he very effective in covering for Bacary Sagna, his penetrative runs and power in midfield have proved a valuable tool for Arsenal’s style of play. Wenger once said that Eboue is in the squad because he adds balance. And without a doubt, it’s now clear to see what Wenger meant. Eboue is our most versatile utility player who can do a very competent job in at least 4 positions, and is the sort of player every top team needs in their squad.
It’ll be interesting to see how he influences play for Cote dIvoire as they try and fulfil the huge promise and expectation on their shoulders.
Also, if you don’t already know, I right a weekly column about Arsenal on A Cultured Left Foot. Make sure you check out my piece today outlining 8 reasons why Arsenal can win the title this season.
