5. Kolo Toure

Kolo is Arsenal's most established central back and, somewhat surprisingly, the only remaining regular from the 'Invincibles' side of 2003/04.

A utility player when he arrived at Highbury in 2002, the Ivorian has blossomed into an exemplary defender. He has strength and pace, times his tackles expertly and is quick to snuff out danger when the ball is played through the middle. Now entering his late 20s, Kolo's leadership skills are increasingly to the fore in an inexperienced Arsenal squad.

Last term was not a vintage campaign for Kolo - he struggled to find his best form after the African Cup of Nations and was shunted out to right-back when Bacary Sagna got injured - but he excelled in the first half of the season as Arsenal set the Premier League pace. Kolo developed a promising partnership with William Gallas and scored two important goals at Emirates Stadium.

Kolo is a pivotal figure for his country as well as his club. First capped in 2000, he played a key role as Ivory Coast qualified for their first World Cup in 2006 and helped the Elephants reach the Semi-Finals of the African Cup of Nations in 2008.

 

MY YEAR

January

Kolo completed three matches on the trot in the middle of January but missed out against Plymouth on Saturday 3rd and Everton on Wednesday 28th. The Ivorian did return for the month’s final fixture and was handed the captain’s armband for that clash with West Ham. On January 9th, Arsène Wenger gave his views on Arsenal’s longest-serving player. “For me Kolo is very honest and is a great person,” said the manager. “I rate him and I like him.”

December

Again Kolo endured a slightly fragmented month thanks to injury. He did however complete 90 minutes against both Wigan and Aston Villa. In early December the Ivorian reaffirmed his belief in his and William Gallas’ central defensive partnership. He said: "He [Gallas] is a great player. I've been at the Club a long time now and for me I'm just focused on my game and doing my best. I've been injured and maybe that is why we haven't played together but we are both really professional and have been in the business a long time now.”

November

Much like October, Kolo missed a sizeable chunk of November with an injury, this time to his calf. The Ivoirian started the month with the captain’s armband in the Gunners’ defeat at Stoke. He went on to complete 90 minutes against Fenerbahce as well as the final five minutes against Manchester United and 20 minutes against Aston Villa. His shoulder problem put paid to any involvement in the month’s final three fixtures against Manchester City, Dynamo Kyiv and Chelsea.

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