Arsenal’s Unsung Heroes – The Three Most Unappreciated !
Luke Shephard, one of our young Guest Posters, would like some fair discussion about some Arsenal men that are quiet heroes at the club, and thinks that they should be praised for their contributions rather than criticized at every opportunity. He left the most controversial to last…..
Unsung Heroes.
This article is going to name a few of the unsung heroes at Arsenal FC, players and staff.
Emmanuel Eboue.
Eboue can play anywhere on the right flank, the left flank and even in the centre of midfield where he has enjoyed occasional spells. With 151 appearances and 51 appearances from the bench Eboue has been an effective member of the squad since he joined in the January 2005 transfer window. Although not making the first team straight away, the 2005/2006 season was when he came to the attention of Arsene Wenger and enjoyed 11 starts, with 1 goal. He has since been a key player, not just because of ability, but also because of his versatility.
It is not just his ability on the football pitch that makes him a key player, but also his ability to please crowds and his popularity amongst his team mates . He brings joy to the Arsenal game and joy to his players. This overall, puts less pressure on the players and sets their minds at rest. He is known as a funny guy amongst the Arsenal players and staff with Cesc and Wenger commenting on his popularity.
Pat Rice.
Pat Rice has spent more than 40 years of his life with Arsenal as a player, coach and now assistant manager. Starting out as a 15-year old apprentice in 1964, he went on to make 528 appearances as a right back. He is known as one of the greatest Arsenal defenders, ever to grace the Highbury pitch. He reached five FA Cup finals and a Cup Winners Cup Final.
From 1984 – 1996, he was the Youth Team coach at Arsenal winning two FA Youth Cup finals. After the resignation of Stewart Houston, he became caretaker manager taking charge of three Premier League matches, all of which he won. Upon the arrival of Arsene Wenger, he was appointed his assistant by Wenger himself.
This proved to be the right decision, as he has since played a key role in Arsenal’s success helping them to three double seasons, a Champions League final and of course the unbeaten season! Pat rightly holds the distinction (along with Bob Wilson) of having taken part, as player or coach, in all three of Arsenal’s doubles.
Manuel Almunia.
I know that no one will agree with me on this, but this article is about ‘unsung’ heroes, and he has given his service to Arsenal over the years. I will keep this part short to stop annoyance.
With 167 appearances under his belt, he has been number one keeper since the departure of Jens Lehmann in 2006. With Wenger not willing to dip into his pockets for a world-class goal keeper, Almunia stayed in between the posts until part way through this current season. He was then dismissed from the team, after his awful game against West Brom (although his poor elbow has been hurt for the past 3 months).
Okay, he has not been consistent and is not a world-class keeper, but he has never once complained! I would like to wish him good luck at whatever club he next joins, whether it is Malaga or any other average Spanish side. ADIOS MANUEL.
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I think u guys are right, Ebue and Almunia hav given their sêrvice to the club d best they could, pls am in surport that they should be given the sung of an heroe also. Up wenger!! Up gunas.
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hahah love this post. good points sir!
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In 2006 when we got the champions league final and eboue was playing right back I thought he was a good player. Since then and up until now he has not become a better player he has actually got worse, people say he is versatile because he is strong, fast, and can run with the ball,technically he is the worst in the club, he is a right back but nowhwere near sagnas level and in every other position he supposedly can play he is rubbish/useless, his passing is poor crossing is poor shooting is terrible, concentration terrible and positioning even worse in my eyes he is no unsung hero he’s a liability, he’s probably best as an impact sub when we are already winning a game. I remember him getting subbed on and boooed off, at the end of the game wenger said “he lost some balls ” lol. He likes to go down too easily to try an win free kicks too much (diving). No I don’t rate him he tries his best its just not good enough, that’s why he hardly plays now.
Clichy
Song
Sagna
Are real unsung heros of arsenal.
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ur analysis is warped. Almunia cannot be put in the same book, he has cost us too much. if u think that is a contribution, u are mad
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good attitude towards almunia, not like some many other people that i know.
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Big al had one really good season. We were the best team in 07/08 and he was our keeper. There was nothing wrong with the defence then and only injuries (and a string of horrible ref decisions) prevented us winning the title with what was a very good team. Although I agree that al isnt a world class keeper, that season proved to me that he is good enough to be part of a title-winning side, given the right conditions. THat said, it’s time for him to move on I think, unless he’s happy just to stick around at arsenal as 3rd choice.
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j – aside from rvp, eboue is the best crosser at the club! And our most effective dribbler when it comes to beating defenders 1-on-1 (as opposed to nasri, rvp, fabregas etc who are amazing at retaining possession). If he was ever allowed to play a string of games at RB, Im sure he’d show he still has it, but I agree in a way that his lack of playing time has prevented him from really growing as a player. The real reason he IS an unsung hero is that he has won us a number of points almost single-handedly against lower league sides by running at defenders, when the rest of the side had looked out of ideas. He is also a real fighter in the big games when he plays.
He’s unfulfilled potential, no doubt, but still a very useful player and the sort of player big clubs need imo.
I agree wholeheartedly that alex song is an unsung hero. Last season and the 2nd half of the season before, he was one of our best two or three players in every single game when he played in midfield. He’s consistently brilliant and not recognised enough for it. Sagna is also fantastic for us, but clichy lets himself down at times. In the 07/08 season he was fantastic but then took a step back. He looks like he’s getting back to his best now, though.
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J – if you seriously think Eboue has not got any technique at all then your crazy, and h has better crossing ability then any of our other defenders by far. A loyal player who loves this club and knows what the club is about.
Davi – Almunia is nothing but a shot stopper that’s all, he can block crucial shots sometimes but that’s it, his jumping in the air ability is poor and his communication with the defenders is horrendous. Plus the 07-08 season we had Lehmann in goal what you talking about????
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hi, i think pat rice is the greeatest unsung hero @ arsenal, eboue, i thought he was going to beome one of the best right backs when he played in that run to champions league final in2006, but he was unlucky when sagna was bought in as a replacement for eboue when he went to africa cup of nations in 2008, well, since then wenger is playing him in all wrong positions, eboue was a classy right back who helped the club to reach the club to its first ever cl final with out conciding a goal till the final, so the guy is really unluky. Almunia, is wenger’s worest signing and him being a consistant kepper i wouldn’t even think he deserve to play for a club in championship. He is the worest gk i in the epl. Thank god he is injured and is said to leave.
My unsung hero’s
pat rice,alex song,clichy,eboue,roisky
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Messi – Lehmann lost his place to almunia that season and left at the end of it. Al was the main keeper.
There was a feeling he wasnt a world class keeper that season, but he didnt really do much wrong and wasn’t the reason we didnt win the title that year.
I dont think he’s as hopeless as you make out, but i agree those are his strengths and weaknesses overall. He doesnt inspire confidence in defenders, I think flamini did that for him.
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J. I bet you that nobody plays with his heart out and gives 1000% every time he steps out in our colours as Eboue does! (he plays as if his life depends on it!) yes,he has had some questionable performances but he’s a better crosser than clichy,mayb even sagna! (refer to 06-07 the assists he offered from his crosses are more than sagna’s and clichy’s last season combined!) he’s also a better dribler hence Aw pushed him to Rm! One thing is for sure,you can always count on him to die out there if need be for the team. That alone according to me,deserves the tag ‘hero’ sung or unsung.
Luke should have added these to the list (atleast 2 of them) :
Denilson.
Rosicky. (though nt really unsung!)
Clichy.
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Almunia? unsung heroe, ridiculous. sure he is a decent guy and took his chance without complaining lol, but how many games he costs us, starting with the final in Paris beaten at his near post and between his legs.
Eboue 2006 was full of potential, as right back his career was aborted, and he sacrifice for the good of the team ; when he broke into the scene people spoke of him not just a good replace of Lauren but as one of the promising young right backs in europe. when Sagna came he alternated on the right midfield, this totally blunted his explosive runs, (e.g Dani Alves on the right wing of Brazil with Maicon behind is not the same player ). he is a good dribbler, can pass defenders, his crosses were not bad , his problem was with rush judgment and error commitments on the field but so is Theo’s or Clichy , Sagnea is perhaps better overall but Eboue had something unpredictable to his game. If he was like Diarra he should have left and not compromised like that. yes unsung heroe then
Rice, yes he lived in the club, unsung hero?, perhaps. but thankfully he leaves next year, one would want a better , fresher right hand man next to Weng, with some real futbol input, hopefully defensive mind, and a real game time tactician .
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you must have lost your mind!! why name almunia? he is by far the worst goalkeeper arsenal has ever seen!! he is total rubbish, the sooner he is gotten rid off the better!!
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@rob…Pat Rice will not leave! Not yet..a fresh mind you say..mayb when he and Aw leave..but for now..i hope they have another 10-15 years in them.
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Gary nevele and scmiecheil surved there club…. Those two u said have been mere players. Not judging there talent but neither have even made a decade. Think befor u write!
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Pointless article – to praise Eboue, Rice and Pnemonia! What was your point in this to give credit. Eboue is a great squad player and loyal! Every Arsenal phone knows that. Pat Rice has showed great service to Arsenal and is our assistant manager. Why the praise. He is not behind Wengers success, if anything he is quite bland. Pnemonia – cmon, I get criticism from my posts but your a joke! Yes woopy do that clown was horrendous 90% of those stupid appearance because we didn’t find a top replacement.
The unsung heroes at Arsenal are David Dein – He was what moulded Wengers successs and ambition. Of modern days all the backroom team contribute as do all the players. Don’t be silly and single out three people in a post for the sake of it, with no credible argument. Whats your point of this? Nothing new and if anything incorrect as this is the most unsubstantial piece I have ever seen published as the content is laughable!
Please write something more interesting that isn’t biased towards a blinkered love for these unsung so called heroes!!
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@Adam Kemp – No one cares. My point is to give credit to the people who normally don’t get credit & i might do another one just to annoy you even more.
@Robel – I could have included Rosisky, because he doesn’t get as much praise as he should, but I feel Song is now getting praise for his talent, if it was last season then he could be classes as ‘unsung’.
@Bilzo – Thanks!
@Rob – Everybody blames the goalkeeper! It is ridiculous at times to be honest. To be a decent goalkeeper, you have to have a decent back four, and midfield who is willing to press and get back, other than score goals.
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Good points; Nobody can question Eboue’s heart is with Arsenal. He has never to my knowledge complained publicly about losing his RB position to Sagna. He is a Perfect squad player – versatile and not full of himself.
Almunia – not a world class keeper but absolutely PL standard and also not complaining.
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i like almunia, even though he was never a world class keeper. but remember his performance against barca at home last year? it could’ve been 6-0 at half time if it wasn’t for almunia. good luck to wherever he goes.
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Almunia is a football player. He gets paid 30,000+ a week! He has truley made game after game mistakes consistantly that i would not stand for in my actual team. Hes worthy of a cheers for the tym. But no more. Anyone would think the guy has been here for 50 years and won us trophies year after year. Realty! His first game: arsenal 0 man u 1… Why? Because the ball bounced through the guys body. Why doesnt this stand out? Because it was a weekly thing that he made.
He is a millionaire nd altho he may be angry for not playin hes still going to get paid. Why does it matter sooooo much that a keeper is leaving.
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Yeah…. Adios Manuel!
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i agree with you for Pat Rice and Emmanuel Eboue, but for Manuel almunia, nah!!! true, he’s come to Arsenal’s rescue at times but on the other hand, he’s been responsible for many heart breaks where they could have been avoided
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i think HLEB was the most unsung hero….(although he left ages ago)
at the moment the 3 unsung heroes are:
wilshere
rosicky
djourou
wilshere has been one of the most consistent this term and deserves to be starting 11, his lack of goals means he doesnt get the praise he deserves.
Rosicky has been injured for ages and hasnt found his goals scoring form, although when he does play he gives his all! never lazy and always wanting to get the pass right
Djourou is quickly becomin our best defender, his knee troubles have been a setback but his speed and height are just 2 of many qualities he has that make him the defender he is today! i see him as a future leader!
i point out that song would put 100% in every game, last year he was the most under-rated player! nobody took notice of his hard work until now! his goal scoring form has also made him a “sung hero”!
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i really feel sorry for thoes of you who criticize eboue and almunia,eboue for one is the most underated player in the team yet one of the most hard working imo why do you think he is always linked to bigger european clubs like juve,barca,and lazio just to name a few he has always shown commitment inspite of all the abuses he recieves from some of you blind surpporters this was the same thing that was being done to song ealier on in his arsenal career now we all sing his praises he may not be playing well now! But how many right backs can play in various postions without complaining and yes he is one of the best crossers of the ball and a great team player what more do you ungreatful guys want he may have deeped in form recently but that does not make him rubbish,as for almunia he has served us well for over 5 years and put in some decent performances amongst which was the game against barca at emirates where he praticularly kept us in the game its a pity some of you have short memories what i have come to realize is that most of you are not real surpporters of the club but fans bcos a real surpporter backs the team & each player through the good and bad times while a fan is just there for the glory and is ready to start a hate campaign against wenger or any player who is having a rough time,we the real surppoerters need to stop kicking our manager or players when they are down it does’nt make them improve instead makes them feel worse and when players like these decide to leave the club let us please send them off with some dignity if for nothing else at least for their loyalty and dedication over the years
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Yes lads! It must be are critisism which has stoped wenger winning anything for five years. Danm us! If only we’d supported tge times when we had cygan at the back and aliadiaire up front.
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Look I am not going to be completely rude but your post does not make sense as to why you would give credit to these three club personel. The only thing these three have in common is loyalty. Pat Rice has a bit more credit as he was part of a great side. You cannot simply call Eboue and Almunia unsung heroes because they made appearances for the club and been with us because no one else wants them. Eboue is an average squad players whom is all. He is decent and does a job, but he is awful with his final ball and delivery. Pnemonia was the 16th best keeper in the league last season. The guy is useless and deserves not credit. You seem to celebrate medicracy. When you post an article you have to objectively as much as you can without being biased towards the team to write about. Honesty and truth is what you need to aim towards. And to credit Pnemonia is beyond joke. He is awful and Arsenal’s worst number 1 in the history of the club. The real unsung heroes…..
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The fans – We are the biggest unsung heroes collectively whom contribute the clubs success financially and with support.
George Graham – Developing a mean back 4 and quality keeper that was part of our success for years to come.
Bruce Rioch – Signed Dennis Bergkamp from Inter, and he turned out in my opinion to be our best player of all time on a par with Henry.
Arsene Wenger – He is sung and rightly so but he had great success with the club between 98 and 05. Stumbled a bit now and annoying most fans but if he turns it around can be forgiven.
Players that were unsung and not given enough credit for their ability are as follows:
Reyes, Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Bould, Parlour, Edu and Luzhny. Players like these were overshaddowed by true greats like Adams, Keown, Overmars, Anelka, Henry, Bergkamp, Wright, Ljunberg, Pires, Vieria etc… But these players were good and solid and far more worthwhile than the likes of Eboue and Pnemonia!!
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Oh and of David Dein the mastermind behind Arsenal success!! And you seem to want to credit people who are often criticised for their ability just because they are loyal! wake up son!
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Anyone who argues with kemps posts read above ^^^
Exactly as it is! Altho luzhny wat a legand!!!
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When it comes to opinions everyone is entitled to their own. lf u dont agree with one’s then just hold your balls bse you must be knowing that not everyone will agree with yours either.
If one names his three unsung heros and u bullshit them all then you have lost your mind;eg there’s no statement in the article saying that heros under AW’s reighn but just unsung heros; why bullshiting Pat? so you just have to give your thoughts and give us those you think should have been named as unsung heroes. Pse lets be Gunners with some sense humor and maturity with our comments.
ALWAYS A GUNNER
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@Adam Kemp – The players I mentioned were players who play now, and not who have played in the past. But I agree when you say, The fans; Gilberto Silva and Reyes and unsung heroes, because they are.
@Stoker 16 – LOL.
@Everybody who has critised Almunia (or Pnemonia as Kemp calls him) – I said in the post, he was not maybe the best keeper in the world, definatly not. But he has never had a secure back four in front of him. And I think he was a very ‘unlucky’ keeper. You have supposed to have faith in all players. Behave!
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Let aside that Almunia is obviously not a good goalkeeper I also disagree on the point that he never complained. I remember very well how he bashed Lehmann after our 2006 CL campaign, complaining that when he (Al) was no 1 for a couple of weeks in 2005 Lehmann didn’t help him (What did he expect? That Lehmann would say to him “Yes, inadequate goalkeeper, take my place, destroy my dreams of becoming Germany’s no 1 and let my children be unhappy because they want to stay in London.”?), that the clean sheet record and good run in the CL was the team’s achivement and not only Lehmann’s (well, actually it WAS mainly Lehmann’s but still Lehmann always gave credit to the whole team and even dedicated the Best European Goalkeeper 2006 award to Wenger and the team!) and that he couldn’t understand why he had to go back to the bench again and so on.
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Luke – this article sans the Pat Rice part is all balls…
Almunia has been a disaster – all the way… countless matches ( and may be trophies ) have been lost because of his inconsistency. He was a joker every season…he didn’t improve at all… so let’s not be prosaic & show him as a martyr
Eboue- gallant soldier but let’s stop at that… he is ineffective now & that’s it…
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Everyone that supports arsenal is entitled to like or prefer some players rather than others, even the manager.
The players that really annoy me with their performances in order are
Eboue
Denilson
Vp
Bentner
Rosicky
In my opinion these squad players can and should be sold and replaced with fresher better tallent, these guys are just coasting vp never played today, but whenever I see two or more of these names on the team sheet I think we will struggle and a lot of the times we do.
Ok people talk about giving 100 per cent effort that’s good but its not enough, you also need talent, ability, skill, composure and many attributes to be a top player for arsenal and we don’t have enough top players in our squad. Too many avarage and inconsistent players, we NEED better.
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Zero trophies since Almunia took over as number one…enough said? His abilities have never been comparable to the ever increasing number of blunders he commits. He seems to get worse with each game, i cringe every time he receives a back pass. Furthermore, I will never understand why he gets commended for making routine saves, and earlier this term for saving a penalty which he needlessly gave away. Im sure he will do well against the 15 miserable teams in La Liga, and get smoked be the 4 with talent. Good riddance
I really like Eboue, he has shown the versatility to play just about anywhere on the right side of the field. This term, he was also effective for a game and a half at left back.
As for Pat Rice, he is absolutely indispensible. You cant put a price tag on his loyalty to the club and knowledge of the game.
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i personally love eboue, he’s too funny!
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