An iconic former Arsenal player has spoken openly about his son's burgeoning football career at the club's fierce London rivals, Chelsea. Emmanuel Eboue, who made over 200 appearances for the Gunners, says his family allegiances take a back seat to his paternal pride.
From Hale End to Cobham: A Father's Pride
Emmanuel Eboue enjoyed a seven-year spell at Arsenal, becoming a cult hero with 214 appearances and playing in the 2006 Champions League final. Despite his deep-rooted connection to north London, his focus is now on the progress of his 16-year-old son, Mathis.
The teenage attacking midfielder, who represents England at youth level, was once enrolled in Arsenal's famed Hale End academy. He made the switch to Chelsea last year and is now a key part of their Under-18 squad. Eboue senior confessed to Ladbrokes that his son's talent initially took him by surprise.
"I'm very, very proud of Mathis, and very happy for him," Eboue stated. "When he was very young, I didn't really think my boy would go on and be such a good player, to be honest. He used to play a lot with me at home because he loved football. I'm very proud of him for getting to where he is today."
Why Stamford Bridge is the Right Place
Despite Chelsea's notorious spending sprees under owner Todd Boehly, where the club has invested over £1 billion since 2022, Eboue believes the environment at Stamford Bridge is ideal for his son's development. He has advised Mathis to stay with the Blues, anticipating a first-team opportunity could be imminent.
"For me, at 16, nearly 17, I think I would want to stay at the club," Eboue explained. "You can see how much they like to use their younger players – so for him, I think it's better to stay at Chelsea. When he turns 17 very soon, they're going to look to use him – maybe next season."
He emphasised that seeing his son succeed in a Chelsea shirt does not conflict with his own Arsenal history. The move was initiated when Mathis himself informed his father of Chelsea's interest after impressing at Watford.
International Future: A Wealth of Options
Mathis Eboue's career path diverges from his father's not only in club choice but also on the international stage. While Emmanuel earned 79 caps for the Ivory Coast, his son has already debuted for England's Under-17 side.
Furthermore, through his Belgian mother, Mathis also holds the option to represent Belgium. This trio of choices is seen as a positive by the former defender. "The good thing he's got is that he's still able to play for England, Ivory Coast and Belgium, so he has a lot of options later on in his career," Eboue noted.
He recalled a poignant moment when the president of the Ivorian football federation praised Mathis after an England U15s match against Ivory Coast. Eboue has left the decision entirely in his son's hands, stating, "I said it was completely up to him what he wanted to do."
When asked if his son could surpass his own achievements, the Arsenal legend joked, "To be better than me? I don't know! He's doing very well." The family is sure to be watching closely as Chelsea and Arsenal face off in their Carabao Cup semi-final clash.
