After coming through the Arsenal ranks there were rumours that Frimpong would be a great player. The fans loved him, not for his skill but his no nonsense approach and his off the field antics, mainly tweeting about his love for the club and his strange catchphrases. Don’t get me started on the word ‘Dench’.
Wenger was impressed by Frimpong, calling him a fighter and a winner. He eventually made his Arsenal debut in 2011 against Newcastle United coming on as a substitute. Then came his first start for the club against Liverpool. Unfortunately for Frimpong he was sent off for two bookable offenses.
The controversy didn’t end there as next came the clash with Samir Nasri during and after the match with Manchester City. Not long after the Ghanaian found himself loaned out to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the January window. But his loan was cut short after he ruptured his cruciate ligament after just 5 games.
Frimpong never played for Arsenal again and after two other loan spells to Charlton and Fulham, he was eventually sold to Barnsley for an undisclosed fee in January 2014.
If ever there was a player looking unhappy to be at a team it was Frimpong. But in true Frimpong style, he was once again sent off on his Barnsley debut. He only lasted four months at the club, making 9 appearances, as Barnsley failed to avoid relegation.
After being released by Barnsley, he joined FC Ufa. His first game in the Russian Premier League ended with another sending off, this time for an obscene gesture to the opposition supporters. Frimpong lasted until April 2016 before being released by mutual consent. He made 25 appearances for the Russian team.
Next for Frimpong came Arsenal Tula, signing a two year contract with the Russian club. But it wouldn’t be Frimpong unless there was some commotion on his debut. He was brought on as a substitute with the name ‘Dench’ on his back in Russian, however his debut was short lived, as he was then subbed back off, clearly unfit to play. He played 3 times for Tula before again being released by mutual consent.
In February this year Frimpong joined Swedish side AFC Eskilstuna.
It was a shame things never worked out for Emmanuel Frimpong at Arsenal. He seemed to be the midfielder the club was crying out for at the time, a player to finally replace Patrick Vieira. He was a tough tackling and determined player. But in the end it seemed that would only get him so far. The Arsenal faithful will always have a soft spot for him and what’s clear is he still loves the club.
For Frimpong’s sake, let’s hope he settles down soon and find a club who loves him as much as the Arsenal fans did.