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TOURE... strives to do better

Toure a real gem in Arsenal crown

In the grand theatre of football, Arsene Wenger’s gilded scripts and inspired casting have made Arsenal compulsory viewing. Characters like the sorcerer’s apprentice Cesc Fabregas and the brooding genius Thierry Henry, captivate audiences with their flourishes of brilliance week after week. But any vaunted thespian will admit they are worthless without an able supporting cast. Step forward central defender Kolo Toure.

Gunners’ fans love it when he earnestly nips in to mug marauding strikers or pops up with a crunching recovering challenge. His dogged determination in stamping out danger ensures that Sol Campbell is not missed in Arsenal’s back line.

The Ivorian recently passed the 200-appearance mark and was rewarded with a new four-year deal at Emirates Stadium worth around £70,000 a week.

“He is so consistent, just look at the players who play all the games for us, they give you real value and he is one of them. As well as that, he is genuine, highly motivated and always gives his best. He’s an exceptional player,” says a satisfied Wenger, perhaps mindful of the knowledge that Rio Ferdinand cost Manchester United the equivalent of 200 Kolo Toures.

When Arsenal fluff their lines, Henry offers a Gallic shrug at the injustice of it all. But Toure dusts himself off and stoically strides away determined to do better next time. He always does.

The Ivorian was labelled the ‘African Cannavaro’ by the Italian press last season as he expertly marshalled Arsenal’s makeshift defence towards a Champions League record of 10 consecutive clean sheets. His reward was the decisive goal in the semi-final tie with Villarreal that propelled the Gunners to the Paris showdown with Barcelona.

DEVOUT

Toure was born in Sokoura Bouake, Ivory Coast, in 1981. The devout Muslim lives with his wife Awo and two children, Sania and Yiassin in north London.

A precocious talent, he won the African Super Cup with ASEC Mimosas at just 17 and earned his first international cap against Rwanda at 19. A string of impressive performances at the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup, alongside his brother Yaya, see him now near the 50-cap mark.

Toure made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt against Liverpool in August 2002. He initially defied typecasting at Highbury and his debut season was characterised by cameos across the park. Though often accused of being erratic, his defensive capabilities soon emerged.

He struck up a formidable partnership with Sol Campbell during Arsenal’s historic unbeaten 2003-4 Premiership campaign. Toure has kept his place in Wenger’s first choice side ever since.

It is a mark of Toure’s effectiveness that he was booked a mere three times last season. And his caging of Ronaldo at the Bernabeu during the famous 1-0 victory will live long in Arsenal fan’s memories.

But The Ivorian does not rest on his laurels: “I want to score more goals. One of my favourite players as a child was Ronald Koeman. He was also a defender and had a very strong shot, especially with free-kicks and I would like to do as he did and score more goals”.

His passion for Arsenal and the exemplary way in which he conducts himself on and off the pitch, makes Toure an ideal role model for Wenger’s young guns and a natural successor to Henry as captain.

A storyline fit for a silent hero.

Published: 15 November 2006
Issue: 1244

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