Eboue ready for Ronaldinho

Arsenal's young defender Emmanuel Eboue insists he has no trepidation about facing Ronaldinho in the UEFA Champions League final on Wednesday.

The Ivory Coast international has stepped up to The Gunners' first team in recent months in the absence of long-term injury casualty Lauren and is now set to turn out in Paris next week.

The showpiece occasion will cap a remarkable rise for Eboue but the 22-year-old insists he will have no nerves, particularly as he can call on the support of compatriot Kolo Toure.

"I'm really happy to be playing alongside Kolo because I've known him since we were children and I'm grateful for the way he has helped and encouraged me," Eboue told the Sunday Telegraph.

"I'm not afraid to be playing against Ronaldinho even if he is one of the world's top players.

"I'm going to learn from the experience and use my speed against him.

"It's a dream for me and difficult to believe that, after such a short space of time at Arsenal, I am playing in the Champions League final.

"But I have already achieved a lifetime ambition by playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu."