Toure: It was difficult leaving Arsenal

Former Arsenal defender Kolo Touré sealed a lucrative move to Manchester City last night, and admits that it was a difficult decision for him to make.

The Ivory Coast international had spent close to eight years at the club and was a key part of the Invincibles squad that won the 2003/04 championship without losing a single game.

But Touré, being the professional that he is, says that for a central defender at 28 years of age, his best is still to come and that he will do his best to City as he did for Arsenal.

He said: "It is always difficult to leave a place where you have spent the last eight years and had good times but I felt the time was right for a new challenge and I am still at an age, 28, where I feel I am at my peak and will play my best football.

"For me it was time to move but only for the right club and I feel that Manchester City is that club."

Touré is also excited about the rebuilding project at City, adding: "The ambition here is clear to see and is big. Everyone knows this club is moving and that is really, really important.

"I still want to achieve things and I feel as though I can bring something to City and that is what I will be striving to do. It is not just about quality on the pitch it is about blending as a team and with my experience I think I can help City do just that."

User Comments

Max

Posted on 31 Jul, 2009 at 05:01 PM - Reply

Wenger is a wise man, im sure of that he has a plan and of that Arsenal will become the worlds greatest club once again when it comes to football, not only in my heart...

Jacob Godwin

Posted on 31 Jul, 2009 at 09:26 AM - Reply

It is so sad that Kolo left the club, but never the less he as to move on in his career. But now to Mr. Wenger how can you manage the club without good defender and striker. Thanks

jonathanchong

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 11:38 PM - Reply

Hi Nikolai Jones (comment number 2)

We haven't banned you for anything and as you've posted this comment on the site it shows that you can still access it.

Please let us know if you have any problems.

Thanks.

Yermum

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 11:31 PM - Reply

Toure was a lion for the Arsenal. But a good deal for everyone I think.

Remember when we signed Sol Campbell, completely out of the blue? How much fun would it be to do the same thing again?

Joleon Lescott anyone?
How about Metzelder, or better still, Gus cesar.

who?

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 06:28 PM - Reply

another legend leaves from the invincibles squad. i wonder what wenger has in mind, i hope he has it good. toure you have served the club well, you deserve a standing ovation if you ever come to the emirates. a gunner you will always remain in our eyes.

David

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 06:07 PM - Reply

Truthfully, I think both bits of business have been good for Arsenal as Adebayor didnt have the club in his heart and Kolo had probably peaked and become stale at Arsenal and I certainly wish him the best for the future. As for Eboue, 9 million pounds is great business as I feel his position in the club is untenable!! However, my concern is that Wenger lied to us at the end of this season (as he did the previous year)when he acknowledged our weaknesses and said that he would invest in some experienced players. Our squad is weakened by the loss of three experienced players and no replacements and instead of being 2 or 3 players more, we are net weaker by 2 players. The money will NOT be spent, mark my words!! I truly believe that Wenger never had the intention to strengthen the team and just wants to continue with his youth experiment that will lead to another dissapointing season and the likelihood of finishing out of the top 5 next year(he very cleverly pretended to be interested in the Madrid job to call the club's bluff and get the board to panic that they would end up with a manager that would need the money that the fans invest in their pockets. Remember, not one of those directors have sunk any of their personal wealth into this club!!) Thank you Arsene for destroying my trust in you. I can no longer believe a word that leaves those deceitful lips of yours. The respect you show the fans that pay your wages has finally hit nought!!!!

charles kikimba

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 05:57 PM - Reply

we have lost a good defender but its time now for Wenger to sign Brade Hangeland

Not Nice

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 05:54 PM - Reply

Can somebody tell me what has happened from the time Wenger said his side needed 2 or 3 more players after seeing them crash out of 2 semi-finals. Now he's saying the squad is good enough. Buying players does'nt guarantee success, but neither does sticking with this youth policy. It's been four years, stop selling players and bring in quality. It's too frustrating.

Fernando Penalva

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 03:22 PM - Reply

Now we are so fucked up!!!!!

Be prepared to not winning anything this season lads!!!!!

Because with how are we now and if Wenger doesn't sign players, we ain't going to win Champions League or the Premier League. ¬¬

This is so sad!!

thomas

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 03:06 PM - Reply

All the best Kolo. You were a true gunner and committed to the club as much as you could. I truly believe you will reach your peak there.

MiamiGooner

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:58 PM - Reply

True gent? Arsenal in his soul? What a load of rubbish. I'm sad to see him go because now we're back to square 1 trying to build the back 4 again. But he's no different from cashly Cole, Manu, Sol and all of the rest of the money-grabbers!

If Chelsea had offered Toure a deal 2 years ago he would have jumped at it. No different. It comes down to 1 thing. Money.

sulazu

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:29 PM - Reply

A true professional just like Gilberto. How i wish a sentforth novelty match was arranged to honour him before his exit. He will be surely missed.

Toba: The only Gooner.

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:55 PM - Reply

It is quite disheartening to see Toure leave Arsenal. We have really lost a true professional who showed a lot of passion playing in the Arsenal colours. I wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
As for Adebayor, I really do no think we have lost a very great player. He was an average attacker in Arsenal. As for Huges, he should be ready for the sack before December as he has only signed a renegade player in Adebayor.
Wenger needs to go for class in signing one top class CB, high quality stiker that can convert half chances to goals and a top classed midfielder. Wenger, please let the heart-ache stop.

Bashir Njuki

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:36 PM - Reply

So sad to see KOLO go but he had to move on since returning form the ACN he was never the TOURE we knew...ARSENAL is in his blood and can see that from his comments..All the best TOURE

Bainey26

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:16 PM - Reply

He will be missed. a true legend in my eyes he put his heart and soul into the club. adebyor and cashley did not! this is why all arsenal fans will love toure even if he is playing for another club. This is gonna be a great boost for our young defenders however due to a place opening up in the starting 11. you will see a different song and djouru this season i promise you.

Nikolai Jones

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:06 PM - Reply

Hi guys,

Following adebayors recent move I left a comment on an article under the name manu adebayor and proceeded to satirise and ridicule Adebayor. I used some choice language in the comment but it was (in my opinion obviously not yours!) an amusing take on the individuals psyche. I have since found I can no longer access your site and presume i have been banned for it?

I was a regular reader of your site and always find it well informed and balanced. As you always vet the comments anyhow before publishing I find this a rather unneccessary and draconian move. Hopefully this can be rescinded and I promise to be a good boy in future!

cheers!

john lackso

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 10:41 AM - Reply

Total professional, still a gentleman even after being sold. I wish cashly cole and Adeba*ore could learn a thing or two from him.

My question now is for Mr. Wenger to stop singing the same hymn he has been singing for 4years.

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