Almunia surprised at Toure's decision to leave
Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has admitted that he was surprised at former team mate Kolo Touré's decision to leave Arsenal and join Manchester City. The Spaniard hints that Touré was very much a part of the club and hadn't shown any signs of being unhappy or discontent.
Touré became the latest player to join City in an estimated £15 million deal. Manager Arsène Wenger previously said that "there were too many central defenders at the club", suggesting that Touré was perhaps surplus to requirements.
Still, the Spaniard isn't one to dwell on the past and is looking forward towards lining-up with new team mate and former Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen in defence. The Belgian international was the club's first major summer signing, joining for a reported £10 million fee. It's pretty obvious that William Gallas and Vermaelen will most likely be the first choice central defenders.
Speaking to The Independent, Almunia said: "I was surprised by Kolo [leaving]. He was a big part of Arsenal, one of the greatest players we've had over the last few years.
"He was happy here and when I see him in the papers wearing a City shirt, it is very strange.
"Kolo has been involved in the team almost every minute of every game for Arsenal. I hope he's lucky with his new club.
"It's hard to see him in a City shirt. When you are with players for many years, you get to know them very well, understand how they play and communicate with them really well.
"But now we must work with different people. We have a new central defender in Vermaelen and must cope with this. In football people come and go. It's life.
"Kolo lived through great times at Arsenal. He won the league as part of a great team, the Invincibles.
"But when you are at any place for a long time, you sometimes need a change and to change your way of life, the city where you live, the team-mates you see every day.
"Maybe he was a bit bored, a bit tired of being with the same people every day, in the same atmosphere.
"He needed a change and you could see it in his face he was not really, really happy in his last period at Arsenal.
"Kolo gave everything to this club and won titles. He gave 100 per cent."
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ShifuArsenal
Posted on 8 Aug, 2009 at 11:09 AM - Reply
Its sad to see Toure go the last of the invincibles but thats football.
Toure is only 28 so there are still many playing days ahead of him. Henry, Vieira, Anelka, etc have found success away from Arsenal.
I hope Toure success does not come at Arsenals expense.
The Main Man
Posted on 8 Aug, 2009 at 10:06 AM - Reply
It sounds to me like some off you just can't face the fact that he left the club because he'd had enough of Arsenal (any more money)as from his point of view there does seems to be the required commitment to improving the team. As you can see over the last few seasons Arsenal seem to have drift of the pace. Even though I support the club Toure has gone too. I must say it look inevitable that Arsenal need to improve to make sure they stay at the high levels other wise you going to really need to compete with clubs that have been in your wake for the last few years. I don't really include Manchester City in the list as I'm a realist and success does happen over night even if you spend big sums of money. I do think Toure has come to City for his last big pay cheque but in turn I'm hopefully he will provide the experience that's needed. As well as this he should be able to provided the experience and incite that our our younger defender needed to learn. Good luck to you Arsenal in coming season
nicky
Posted on 8 Aug, 2009 at 09:28 AM - Reply
Like Henry and Vieira before him, Toure left simply because of his diminishing capability.It comes to all sportsmen........and the higher the Club status , the earlier the demise.
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danlaw
Posted on 8 Aug, 2009 at 09:05 AM - Reply
Kolo gave his best but we have to accept that he has played the best part of his career for us.what citey has is the carcas,hahaha
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Kolo has been involved in the team almost every minute of every game for Arsenal. I hope he's lucky with his new club.
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