Lauren Etame Mayer

Lauren, born Laureano Bisan-Etame Mayer on January 19, 1977, is a retired Cameroonian footballer who primarily played as a right back. Throughout his career, he achieved considerable success, particularly during his time at Arsenal, where he earned multiple trophies and accolades.
Lauren gained prominence as one of the 'Invincibles' during Arsenal's remarkable 2003–04 season. This title was bestowed upon the Arsenal squad after they achieved the unprecedented feat of going undefeated throughout the entire Premier League campaign, ultimately securing the league title. His contributions to the team's success were significant, solidifying his place in Arsenal's storied history.


Beyond his achievements with Arsenal, Lauren also enjoyed success on the international stage. He represented Cameroon and played a pivotal role in securing an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Additionally, he was part of the Cameroon national team that clinched two Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2002, further cementing his legacy as a distinguished footballer.
One notable aspect of Lauren's background is his dual nationality, holding citizenship in both Cameroon and Spain. This dual nationality arose from his upbringing in Spain, contributing to his diverse cultural background and perspective.


Lauren's tenure at Arsenal, which began in 2000, was marked by significant contributions to the team's success, despite battling injuries at times. Initially struggling to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup, Lauren eventually emerged as the club's first-choice right back, showcasing his defensive prowess and versatility on the field.
During the 2001–02 season, Lauren played a crucial role in Arsenal's Double triumph, featuring prominently in the defense as the team clinched both the Premier League title and the FA Cup. Despite missing some matches due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, Lauren made a notable return to help Arsenal secure vital victories, including a memorable penalty against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.


In the following season, 2002–03, Lauren faced another setback with a calf injury, but his resilience and determination saw him recover in time to contribute to Arsenal's FA Cup success, adding another medal to his collection.
However, it was during the iconic 2003–04 campaign that Lauren truly etched his name into Arsenal's history books. As part of the legendary 'Invincibles' squad, he played a pivotal role in the team's unbeaten league season, earning his second Premier League winners' medal. Despite this remarkable achievement, his season was tinged with controversy following an incident of verbal abuse towards Ruud van Nistelrooy, resulting in a ban and fine from the Football Association.


Lauren continued to showcase his quality in subsequent seasons, winning a third FA Cup winners' medal in 2005. However, his time at Arsenal was beset by injuries, culminating in a serious knee injury in 2006 that sidelined him for nearly a year. Following his recovery, Lauren departed Arsenal in January 2007, joining Portsmouth on a contract that allowed him to continue his career elsewhere.
Lauren's transfer to Portsmouth in January 2007 marked a new chapter in his career, as he joined the club on a year contract for a reported fee of £500,000. He swiftly made his debut for Portsmouth against Charlton Athletic on 20 January 2007 and became a regular fixture at right back for the remainder of the 2006–07 season.


During the 2007–08 campaign, Lauren faced competition from Glen Johnson, who impressed with his performances at right back. Despite this, Lauren's versatility allowed him to secure playing time by filling in at left back and occasionally featuring in the right midfield position. His adaptability proved valuable to the team, especially during the absence of John Utaka, who was away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.
One of the highlights of Lauren's time at Portsmouth came in the 2007–08 season when the club clinched the FA Cup. Although he did not feature in the final squad, Lauren had contributed to Portsmouth's journey in earlier rounds of the competition.
Following the expiration of his contract in June 2009, Lauren parted ways with Portsmouth after making just one appearance during the season, coming on as a substitute in the 2008 FA Community Shield match.


Lauren's international football career saw him represent Cameroon, the nation of his birth, despite feeling a strong connection to Spain. He made his debut for the Cameroon national team in 1998 and went on to earn a total of 25 caps, scoring two goals.
His achievements with the Cameroon national team include winning the Olympic Gold Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and lifting the Africa Cup of Nations title in both 2000 and 2002. Lauren played a significant role in Cameroon's success during the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring in the penalty shootout as they secured victory over Senegal in the final.
Additionally, Lauren was part of Cameroon's squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and the 2002 edition held in Japan and South Korea. Despite his relatively young age, Lauren announced his retirement from international football at the age of 25, having already amassed an impressive collection of achievements with the Indomitable Lions.


Lauren's post-football career has seen him take on the role of an Arsenal ambassador for the African continent, a position he considers to be a great honor. In this role, he engages in various activities related to football and education, as well as attending gatherings with Arsenal supporters. Lauren sees this role as an opportunity to give back to the African people and repay the support he received during his playing days.
One of the countries where Lauren has visited as an Arsenal ambassador is Rwanda. During his visit, he participated in children's football and educational clinics, represented the club at official events with local authorities, and explored the country's iconic landmarks, all while promoting Arsenal's values and ethos.


In addition to his work in Africa, Lauren has traveled to other global destinations as part of his ambassadorial role, including Singapore. There, he was involved in football clinics and represented Arsenal at various events, further extending the club's reach and impact on a global scale.
Lauren has established himself as a respected authority in match broadcasts, showcasing his expertise and insights in football analysis. He is a regular presence on LaLiga TV's English-language show, Viva LaLiga, where he provides comprehensive reviews of the latest action from the Spanish top flight.


In addition to his role on LaLiga TV, Lauren has served as a studio pundit for GOL TV, offering his analysis for major Arsenal matches, including the 2018/19 Europa League final against Chelsea. He has also made appearances on prominent platforms such as Sky Sports, where he contributed to Guillem Balagué's Revista de La Liga show, and BBC Sport.
Furthermore, Lauren has lent his expertise to broadcasting teams for significant football events, including the Africa Cup of Nations. He was part of the ITV and Eurosport coverage for the 2012 and 2017 editions of the tournament, further solidifying his reputation as a knowledgeable and insightful football pundit.

References

1.  "Lauren Bio, Stats, News - Football / Soccer". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
2. ^ "Player Profile: Lauren". Premier League. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
3. ^ "Premier League Team Website". Premierleague.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007.
4. a b c d e f g Balague, Guillem (4 April 2019). "Lauren: Ex-Arsenal defender's tough route to becoming an Invincible". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
5. ^ "The greatest rags-to-riches stories ever". The Knowledge. The Guardian. 12 April 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
6. ^ ""El Madrid quiso ficharme, me entrevisté con Onieva, pero el Arsenal era mejor opción"". 22 January 2021.
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12. ^ "Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd (aet)". BBC Sport. 21 May 2005. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
13. ^ "Portsmouth complete Lauren deal". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
14. ^ BBC.co.uk – Lauren ends Pompey transfer spree. 22 January 2007
15. ^ "Tactical Formation". Football-Lineups.com. Retrieved 3 February 2007.