Kolo Toure

Name Kolo Toure
Born March 19, 1981
Sokuora Bouake
Ivory Coast
Position Defender
Squad Number 5
Previous Club(s) Asec Mimosas
Joined Arsenal February 14, 2002
Arsenal Debut Liverpool (n)
Community Shield
August 11, 2002,
Won 1-0


5. Kolo Toure


Kolo was a utility player when he arrived at Highbury in February 2002 - now he is Arsenal's most established central defender and a firm favourite with the fans.

The Ivorian has strength and pace, times his tackles expertly and is quick to snuff out danger when the ball is played through the middle. Now 25, Kolo's leadership skills are increasingly to the fore in an inexperienced Arsenal back line.

Kolo also poses a threat to opposition defences. His barnstorming runs get the crowd on the edge of their seats and, although he is not a regular on the scoresheet, he did break his Highbury duck last season with the only goal of the Champions League Semi Final against Villarreal.

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 last season and was one of the Elephants' outstanding performers in Germany.

                                                 My Year

April

Right-back continued to be Kolo’s position in April as he proved a capable deputy for the injured Bacary Sagna. He completed over the half of the games, being withdrawn in the closing stages of three matches. He grabbed a couple of assists in the final two games of the month against Reading and Derby.

March

There was a second goal of the season for Kolo in March. The Ivorian rose highest in the box as the minutes ticked down against Middlesbrough. He had missed the draw with Aston Villa and the win in Milan before returning against Wigan.

February

Kolo returned to the Club midway through February after his time with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations. However an off-beat Gunners side went down 4-0 at Old Trafford before a calf problem forced him off just seven minutes into the Champions League tie with Milan.

January

Due to international commitments, Kolo made just two appearances for the Gunners in January — games in which no goals were conceded. He joined up with the Ivory Coast squad and featured in their opening two fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations before picking up a groin injury.

December

A case of more of the same from the indomitable Kolo. The Ivorian was a rock in the Arsenal defence throughout most of December, although two blotches on his copybook did arise — penalties conceded against Middlesbrough and Tottenham.

November

The indomitable No 5 was absent only once throughout November, against Slavia. His partnership with William Gallas continues to thrive as does the reputation of the team. Kolo was also in action for the Ivory Coast.

October

Kolo was, once again, an ever-present in Arsenal’s back-line. The Ivorian was finally rewarded for his awesome performances with a goal against Bolton - his stunning free-kick breaking the deadlock. The 26-year-old also celebrated reaching the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.