It's the international weekend... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. So while he's away from London Colney I'm going to discuss the mystery wrapped inside the enigma that is Emmanuel Eboue.
I have a love/hate relationship with Eboue: I love it when his twinkle-toes come out and he sends full-backs for a cuppa tea. I hate it when he shoots from distance as he resembles John Jensen. And I hate his play-acting.
When Eboue first burst on the scene a couple of years ago he was a breath of fresh air for all Gooners - he was the reason Arsene Wenger sold Lauren, a fans favourite.
Eboue played with such freedom, like a kid with scuffed knees taking on the playground. Wenger even likened him to Garrincha! How silly that comparison seems now.
Last season he began to rile away fans, neutral observers and even some sections of the Emirates with his diving and willingness to try and get his opponents in the book at any given opportunity.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
It's cringe worthy and irritating. Of course Eboue isn't the only player that does this in the Premier League, but he has fast become one of the most hated players around because of his antics.
But hasn't diving become a skilled part of the game? And Eboue's not bad at it.
Jurgen Klinsmann was one of the fore fathers of the dive.
And you couldn't watch a bit of Football Italia on Channel 4 without seeing more than a spot of play-acting litter the game.
And everyone remembers sweet, innocent Michael Owen's glorious dive against Argentina at France 98. Nobody held that against him.
Every team has at least one serial diver. Chelsea have Drogba, United have Ronaldo, Liverpool have Torres, Spurs have the entire team nose-diving to the bottom of the league...
Is diving a part of the game that we should embrace? 'What's your new striker like then?' 'Quality. Quick, strong, great in the air, sweet left peg, fantastic diver...'
I still back Eboue when he pulls on the red and white shirt, just as long as one of his dives actually wins a penalty, and he doesn't shoot!
I have a love/hate relationship with Eboue: I love it when his twinkle-toes come out and he sends full-backs for a cuppa tea. I hate it when he shoots from distance as he resembles John Jensen. And I hate his play-acting.
When Eboue first burst on the scene a couple of years ago he was a breath of fresh air for all Gooners - he was the reason Arsene Wenger sold Lauren, a fans favourite.
Eboue played with such freedom, like a kid with scuffed knees taking on the playground. Wenger even likened him to Garrincha! How silly that comparison seems now.
Last season he began to rile away fans, neutral observers and even some sections of the Emirates with his diving and willingness to try and get his opponents in the book at any given opportunity.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
It's cringe worthy and irritating. Of course Eboue isn't the only player that does this in the Premier League, but he has fast become one of the most hated players around because of his antics.But hasn't diving become a skilled part of the game? And Eboue's not bad at it.
Jurgen Klinsmann was one of the fore fathers of the dive.
And you couldn't watch a bit of Football Italia on Channel 4 without seeing more than a spot of play-acting litter the game.
And everyone remembers sweet, innocent Michael Owen's glorious dive against Argentina at France 98. Nobody held that against him.
Every team has at least one serial diver. Chelsea have Drogba, United have Ronaldo, Liverpool have Torres, Spurs have the entire team nose-diving to the bottom of the league...
Is diving a part of the game that we should embrace? 'What's your new striker like then?' 'Quality. Quick, strong, great in the air, sweet left peg, fantastic diver...'
I still back Eboue when he pulls on the red and white shirt, just as long as one of his dives actually wins a penalty, and he doesn't shoot!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
