ArseWEB - number 12 Lauren

• Full name: Laureano Bisan-Etame Mayer
• born: 19th January 1977, Londi Kribi (Cameroon)
• former clubs: 95-96 Utrera, 96-97 Sevilla B, 97-98 Levante, 98-00 Real Mallorca
• Signed for Arsenal 30th May 2000 for an undisclosed fee
• 10 Cameroun caps at time of Arsenal signing
• International debut vs Luxembourg, May 1998

• African Nations Cup winner 2000 (Cameroun)

Comments on the signing of Lauren

Before the African Nations Cup 2000, Lauren Bisan Etama Mayer was better known in European foot balling circles (That man Arsene, was, as usual, on the ball) than in the country of his birth. The main reason for this was, as opposed to most African footballers, Lauren Bisan Etama Mayer bucked the trend of the African foot balling diaspora by returning to his roots after making it big time in Europe.

Laureano Bisan-Etame Mayer was born in Lohdji Kribi in Cameroun, when he was three years old his family moved to a village near Seville in Spain. As a National of both countries, Lauren opted to play for Cameroun instead of Spain just before the France 98. Maybe the lure of playing in the World cup 98 swung it in Cameroun's favour, but Spain were very disappointed to loose out to Cameroun. [Rupe adds: Lauren's Spanish passport circumvents the usual work permit hassles - presumably he won't have the problems Kanu has had, getting his family over to London]

With Lauren being one of the new boys in the squad, he only saw nine minutes of action during France 98. Lauren was a late substitute in the controversial game against Chile. Having played in two Nations cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Eritrea, Lauren went on to play his full part in Cameroun's victorious African Nations cup campaign. He was voted Best player of the tournament. A fantastic achievement when you consider the talent on display.

Lauren's foot balling career in Spain has seen him rise through the ranks of Spanish football, he was at second division Levante before joining Mallorca. He has been a regular at Mallorca and regular viewers of La Liga on Sky will have heard all season of how he was going to sign for one of the big money clubs in Italy or Spain Lazio, Roma, Parma, Barcelona Real Madrid etc.

For me, He is exactly the player that Arsenal need. Laureano Bisan-Etame Mayer is a midfielder of immense quality. At 23, he has true world class potential with all the qualities you want and expect from a midfielder in abundance. (Lauren and Eto are truly potential world class and the best of the current crop of young Cameroun players) He has awesome stamina, (watch the final of the African Nations cup) add power, pace, skill, passes - long and short, tackles, intelligence, excellent attitude etc. He is also versatile enough to play as a right sided wing or full back. We Gooners will love him. I see him partnering PV4 or EP17 in midfield. But I fear he will eventually replace Ray on the right wing by the end of the season. The pressure is on Ray now. A more famous player of similar style I guess will be Xavier Zenetti of Inter Milan and Argentina.