Kolo Toure claims that he gave it his all on trial with Arsenal, so much-so that he slide-tackled Arsene Wenger, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
The defender enjoyed seven years of first-team football with the Gunners, with his name going down in history as one our famous Invincibles of 03-04.
Toure believes that it was his hard tackling which earned him his contract in North London however, claiming that he dived in with a two-footed tackle on then-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger which the manager took as a positive.
“I think that slide-tackle changed my career. It showed the manager just how much I wanted to be successful, and how much I wanted to become a professional footballer. That’s how he took it, anyway,” Toure claimed in an exclusive with FourFourTwo.
“All the players were laughing and I was in shock! I thought they were going to get rid of me there and then.
“But Arsene is an intelligent guy: he only saw a young African boy who was keen to impress him, and gave me that opportunity to express myself and show what I was capable of doing.”
Toure added that he had no idea that he had made a good impression with his audition, stating: “I had no idea. I was a young player at the club and it was a huge step up, but I took my chance.
“I was playing every match like it was the last one for me, giving everything. To play for Arsenal at this time was a big, big thing, and I wanted to show that I was capable of coping with the challenge.
“The older guys were incredible with me. I’ve played in many teams and at many clubs, but I’ll always remember that Arsenal team: big-game players, but great guys as well. I’ll never forget that.
“I’ve found that the players who have achieved the most in their careers are actually some of the most humble.
“My big brothers, I call them. Someone like Dennis Bergkamp: what a guy – so dedicated, and such a great role model every day to be the best you can be.”
Kolo is currently enjoying a key role under Brendan Rodgers as one of Leicester City’s assistant managers, where he has spent the last two years.
Toure will forever be remembered for his time amongst our famous Invincibles, as Wenger will be, but it just goes to show that hard work can go a long way.
Patrick
Lol..
Was expecting your usual question at the end of every one of your articles.
Something like.
Do you think Toure should have slid in on Wenger?
Do you think Toure would have got that contract if he didn’t tackle Wenger?
😂😂Lol
But should he have slid in on Wenger and would he have got that contract if he hadn’t tackled Wenger?
These questions need to be asked and answered about one of our Invincibles!!!!
Ken, the reason as you know, that these players and the teams they represented were so successful was that they worked so hard on the training pitch. Martin Keown and Dennis Bergkamp have attested to the fact that when he came to Arsenal, Dennis Bergkamp was hit with hard tackles by Adams, Keown, Bould and co until he took a few of them out in retaliation. Thierry Henry has often said he always knew he could cope with matchday, because training was so hard.
I thought Kolo came in as a Striker!!
Why was he tackling everybody while he is the one who was supposed to be tackled?
I don’t think the tackling happened during trial auditions.
An article extolling the well knwn virtues of hard work is music to my ears. So many players do the very minimum and one or two far less than the minimum. One recently departed big name comes to mind in THAT category.