Eboue apologises to fans - but stillblames Mike Dean
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue apologised for his sending off in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham – and promised to control his temper. But the stubborn Ivorian still blamed referee Mike Dean for his sending off, despite the fury of Arsenal s followers packed
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue apologised for his sending off in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham - and promised to control his temper.
But the stubborn Ivorian still blamed referee Mike Dean for his sending off, despite the fury of Arsenal's followers packed into the Park Lane stand.
"For me the referee was not good," he said. "I know I have to control myself but I did not want to let Tottenham win. I just wanted to give my best."
Eboue kicked out in retaliation at Luka Modric in the 36th minute to earn a second yellow card - but he said his first booking was unjustified, and claimed his disallowed 13th minute header should have stood.
"It was a goal," said the 25-year-old, whose header was chalked off for a push on Jonathan Woodgate.
"I don't know why he did not give it. The referee said I touched Woodgate but I did not."
Most Read
- 1 Police called to 'youth with knife trying to climb school gates'
- 2 Alexandra Palace: 2 hospitalised in Red Bull's Soapbox Race
- 3 Jailed: 9 north London offenders put behind bars in June
- 4 Night-time fishing suspended at Vale of Health following 'antisocial behaviour'
- 5 Covid: North London hospital admissions rising amid national surge
- 6 Elvis Presley songwriter and former Ham&High columnist dies aged 82
- 7 I want to philately! Freddie Mercury’s stamp collection goes on display
- 8 The Rolling Stones prove rock ‘n’ roll is alive and kicking at Hyde Park
- 9 Father's fear autistic son will 'dive through' window of unsafe West Hampstead home
- 10 Bentley Motor blue plaque in North London 'prized off wall and stolen'
And on his first card, for dissent, he added: "For the first yellow card I did not say anything bad."
"I was in front of the ball and I was talking with Manuel Almunia. After that I said [to the referee] you have to whistle before and he said okay. I came back to take my place and then he called me and gave me a yellow card. I don't really understand why."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said his side should have won, despite playing most of the game with ten men.
"I believe we had a resilient, committed attitude ... but it's two points dropped," Wenger said.
"We had the best chances, we scored a regular goal that was cancelled out by an illusionary foul seen only by the referee.
"I've seen it two times and I still do not know why it was disallowed. It's not acceptable in games like that.