From the tone of much of the Arsenal support's criticism of him, one might be forgiven for thinking that Gunners fans would celebrate the departure of Ivory Coast utility player Emmanuel Eboue.
Jeered and booed so badly by an Emirates crowd during the fixture with Wigan Athletic earlier in the season that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was obliged to substitute him, the player certainly doesn't seem destined to have his picture hanging on the walls at the Arsenaltraining ground.
Now, British tabloid The Sun reports that the Arsenal have turned down an approach for the 25-year old from La Liga outfit Atletico de Madrid this week, the player's agent revealing that Arsenal have asked Eboue to stay at the Emirates.
Franjo Vranjkovic, Eboue's agent, said: "We received an official request from Atletico Madrid which was passed to Arsenal. I have the fax from director Ken Friar who wrote to me to say they are not interested in the offer.
"Then I received a call from Arsene Wenger, who invited me to go to England to start negotiations over a renewal. I see no possibility that the player will leave Arsenal."
Although Wenger's reported view of the player seems to contrast with that of many of the club's fans, it would seem that the Ivorian's stay in the Premier League has some time left to run.
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
