We shouldn't be ashamed of season - Eboue

Eboue insists Arsenal shouldn’t be ashamed of their achievements this season.

The Gunners look set to miss out on any silverware having fallen foul of Liverpool in the Champions League and hit a rut on the domestic stage. However before the season kicked off back in August, the very idea of challenging for honours was sniffed at by a large portion of the media.

Eboue and his team-mates have silenced their critics and the lessons they have learned should stand them in good stead for next season.

“We don’t have to be ashamed of our season,” the Ivorian told the matchday programme. “We have given everything we had, it was not our time but we have learnt a lot this season. All the members of this squad have matured so much.

“We have all developed into better players and we will definitely come back stronger after what happened to us this year.

“I have faith in this squad, in these players and in our coach, Arsène Wenger, to bring us to the top. We have to keep working like we have done this season, keep improving in all aspects, defensively, offensively, individually and as a team so we can compete again for the title next season and this time be crowned champions.

“At the start of the season, nobody was thinking that we could challenge for the title. So everything we did was positive. We have defied the odds and this squad can achieve so much more.

“We will build on what we did well this season and on our strengths to come back stronger next season. Despite having a lot of young players in our squad, we have massive potential and we only showed a glimpse of what we can do. I am convinced that next season we will be even better."

Wenger - Diaby back but I won't be rushing Van Persie

"We will not rush Robin van Persie back but the news is quite good," said Wenger. "It is very difficult to say [when he will be back in the side]. We go step by step. But he should come back into normal training, very, very quickly now.

"Maybe I am being a little over-cautious in my statements but I do not want to put any special pressure on him.

"But the fact that Eduardo is out is one more reason to [get him back]. Also he deserves that championship as well and that is another reason - to do it for him."

For the game at St Andrews, Arsenal's absentees list read: Alex Song (knee), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf), Kolo Toure (knee) Johan Djourou (groin), Van Persie (thigh) and Emmanuel Eboue (suspended).

"It looks like you can take Diaby out of that list," replied Wenger when the roll-call was read out. "All of the other players are not back."

However both Ivorians may be back for Tuesday's trip to Milan.

"Eboue will be back from suspension then," said the Frenchman. "We don't know about Kolo. It looks a little bit early but you never know."

Ivorian duo in contention for Old Trafford tie

Arsène Wenger admitted before the Blackburn game that he was down to the "bare bones" thanks to injuries and international commitments. Manuel Almunia, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Robin van Persie, Denilson and Johan Djourou were all sidelined for Arsenal’s 2-0 victory but Rosicky could return at the weekend.

"Kolo and Eboue came back today [Monday] so we hope to see them tomorrow to see if they're not injured," said Wenger at his post-match press conference.

"Rosicky, he looks better. Van Persie looks better, but he is still a few weeks away. But Rosicky maybe has a little chance for Saturday."

Source:Arsenal.com