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Arsene Wenger

ARSENE WENGER has responded to the criticism aimed at midfielder Emmanuel Eboue by insisting the Ivorian is a key part of the Arsenal team.

Eboue has been moved further up the pitch onto the right wing following the arrival of Bacary Sagna in the summer, but after failing to find the net all season, he has come under fire from some quarters for his lack of attacking prowess.

Comparisons have been made between Eboue's contribution to the Gunners and Cristiano Ronaldo's presence in the Manchester United side, who scored 40 goals from an attacking midfield position last season.

But Wenger jumped to his player's defence and dismissed claims that Eboue should be dropped from the side, insisting that he provided a necessary defensive balance to the team.

"If you look at the number of goals we scored you will see we are near the top of the League," said Wenger. "A team is first of all a balance, that's why I am not a fan of going into any individual case.

"You don't always play a player because he scores goals, you play him because he gives you a balance to the team. We play in a very attacking style and Eboue gives us defensive balance."

Wenger made a comparison of his own, preferring to liken Eboue's influence on the team to that of Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, who he said performed a similar role for the team.

"Ray Parlour did not score many goals on the right side of midfield," Wenger observed. "But for me he was a great player for Arsenal Football Club.

"You can not only go on the goals and assists, you must look at the efficiency of the whole team. That's why Ray Parlour was a great player for us and why Eboue helps us too.

"What counts is how many goals a team scores as a unit and how many chances we create. On that front we can compete with everybody in the league."

Eboue has previously stated his intent to improve on this year's showing and make the right midfield position his own next season.

4:32pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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