Our unassuming African hero...
"You need seven" Tony Adams was once quoted regarding the desired number of lieutenants if things got slightly tasty on the physical side, either on the pitch or in the tunnel. Lauren was certainly one the Invincibles' seven.
The path undertaken by our reliable right back is unique. Born in Cameroon to parents from Equatorial Guinea, he was raised in Spain. Holding now a dual Spanish-Cameroonian passport, he spent a large amount of his early career in the Spanish lower divisions. While at Mallorca however, where his stock had continued to rise, and he was signed in 2000 for Arsenal.
Having just come off the back of an Olympic Gold medal win for his native Cameroon, in which he largely played, like at Mallorca, in a midfield 3 or on the right of the midfield. He managed to score on his home debut against Liverpool, and it became obvious that this was a talented player to have in the squad. However, as a midfielder, perhaps a squad player was all he would be at Arsenal. This brought about a brilliant positional change and birthed the right back for the Invincibles.
Lauren began to play more and more games towards the end of his first season at right back, displacing an ageing Lee Dixon. With his combative attitude, physical power and technical ability, he suited the position and he began to form a strong partnership with Freddie Ljungberg down the right hand side.
However, the change was not met with total joy at first from Lauren. He queried the change and was very doubtful about adapting to right back at first, having spent his entire career further up the pitch. But Wenger persisted and by the time the 2003/2004 season came around, Lauren was established as one of the best right backs in the country, with the medals to back it up too (a title and two cups by May 2003).
Never has the Adams quote "You need seven" been more prominent, than the Battle of Old Trafford in September 2003. Yes, Martin Keown got the lions share of the praise from Arsenal fans, showing the fight and passion for the shirt so often missing today. Even Ray Parlour leaving one on Van Nistelrooy gets mentioned. However, our quiet, respectable right back earned himself a 4 game ban and a 40k fine for his involvement. It hardly ruined his reputation with Gooners. If anything, it enhanced it. It was evident we had a player that cared as much for the Arsenal badge as any, and he wasn't afraid to show it.
He returned to the side and alongside Toure, Campbell and Cole, in front of Jens Lehmann, won the title at a canter with the best defensive record in the league. Freddie Ljungberg, years on when discussing the Invincibles said on MOTD2 "If I got kicked I wouldn't have to worry because Lauren would kick the shit out of them next minute." The players could trust him.
Quietly spoken, but make no mistake, he was Arsenal's Mr Reliable, also evident in the fact he took a few pressure penalties for the club, notably in two wins against Spurs and in the shootout win over Manchester United in 2005.
He ended his Arsenal career in January 2007, with a couple of long term niggling injuries catching up with him. As he moved to Portsmouth, where he collected another FA Cup winners medal, he finished in N5 with 2 League titles and 3 FA Cups.
Not bad for a player who wasn't convinced he could play right back. Laureano Bisan Etame-Mayer, underrated by many, but certainly not by the fans he served and players he battled with.
As usual, if there is a player you would like to be mentioned from the Invincibles era, comment below.
@joehurd16
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