Long-term contract for Eboué as Arsenal work to keep youngsters
The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has rewarded his full-back Emmanuel Eboué with a new long-term deal, having signed the 23-year-old from the Belgian club Beveren two years ago. The club have not revealed the length of the new deal, although it will surely keep the Ivorian at the club for the foreseeable future.The Ivory Coast international played in the World Cup last year and was in the starting XI for the Champions League final. He retained his place at right-back for Arsenal even after the return to fitness of the veteran Cameroonian Lauren, who was eventually released to join Portsmouth.
Wenger remains a staunch supporter of the young players in his squad, having sought to build a team for the future following the club's move to their new Emirates Stadium and the ongoing financial commitments that came with it. Wenger clearly believes the young defender has a bright future ahead, despite the club not revealing the length of the "long-term contract".
Another young Gunner hoping for a regular first-team place next season is Johan Djourou. The Swiss defender, 20, made 30 appearances this season, mostly at centre-back and said: "I am very proud of my season. I am only 20 and I have played a lot of games in the Premiership."
Arsenal are close to signing the Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, 22, from Legia Warsaw, but the futures of the on-loan Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista and winger José Antonio Reyes, currently at the Bernabéu, remain undecided.
