It was during last season’s Emirates Cup. Arsenal were up against South American giants, Boca Juniors. Emmanuel Frimpong was tasked with manning the Arsenal midfield and policing the Boca Juniors playmaker that is Juan Roman Riquelme. Frimpong went about his job well drawing praise from the Argentine master. “[Frimpong] was the most important player for Arsenal … him and [Jack] Wilshere were our toughest opponents,” Riquelme said after the game. High praise indeed, considering players like Nasri, van Persie, Gervinho and Arshavin all featured against Boca Juniors. The words formally announced the arrival of a future star, the birth of a midfield linchpin.
His style of play has seen him tagged as the new Michael Essien (a default name for any combative midfielder with Ghanaian roots), Essien with a Gun. His life as a gunner first teamer last season was more of a bit part player, a backup to Alex Song.
His major highlight would come when Arsenal came up with Manchester City. Arsenal fans the world over led by their twitter commander, Piers Morgan, gave him the thumbs up when he had a run in with Samir Nasri, who is seen by most Arsenal fans as a mercenary.
A loan move to Wolves during the January window enabled him more play time. 5 appearances after a month at Molineux was halted when he damaged his right knee in a game against QPR. But this was not the first time misfortune had befallen the young midfielder. Frimpong had suffered a similar injury to his left knee in 2010.
It feels good to be back after so much hard work in the gym, and I'm just pleased to be playing football again," he told Arsenal Player after his 20 minutes cameo in the Capital One Cup against Coventry.
"I'm a footballer, all I want to do is get out there and help my team, whether I am fit enough to play or fit enough to be in the squad. I just want to be out there with the lads and helping Arsenal progress”
Frimpong was also appreciative of the Arsenal fans saying "[The crowd's reaction] makes me feel good obviously and shows that the fans appreciate me here. That is always a nice gesture and I am just happy that I went on to help the team win the game."
For a player who wears his heart on his sleeve, who is more of a fan wearing a jersey, he says he will not be shying away from robust tackles.
"I think it is quite important when you come back from a big injury. You want people to knock you about a bit. I got one, but I wanted more!" he said.
