Source: Telegraph
Kolo Touré blames Arsenal departure on breakdown in relationship with William Gallas
Touré the Man City captain, is living proof that not all footballers fit the modern-day stereotype of the self-obsessed, detached, money-driven star that does little to enhance the reputation of the Premier League. [LNB]A devout Muslim who continues to support his family in the Ivory Coast with his Premier League wages, Touré is a popular figure at Eastlands, a man who understands his duty to the club's supporters and community programme. [LNB] Related ArticlesArsenal v Man City: match previewManchester City line up £60m bid for TorresMancini backs Adebayor to keep his coolToure warns Adebayor to stay calmIs it time for Liverpool to cash in on Fernando Torres?Sport on televisionBut while the 29 year-old will be afforded a generous reception by the Arsenal supporters unlike his City team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor when he returns to the Emirates for the first time since his £16 million transfer last summer, Gallas is unlikely to lay out the red carpet. [LNB]The two men barely spoke during their final season together at the heart of Arsène Wenger's defence. Gallas, a combustible character, lost the captaincy to Touré following his bizarre post-match sulk following a 2-2 draw at Birmingham in Feb 2008, but while Touré insists that incident did not spark their feud, he admits that the pair's relationship ultimately led to his departure from Arsenal. [LNB]"Gallas and me misunderstood each other at certain times and one had to leave." Touré said. [LNB]"Would I still be at Arsenal otherwise? I don't know, you can say that, but I'm at a new club where I'm really happy. [LNB]"As a player, I had great respect for Gallas because he was older than me and, in Africa, when someone is older, you have respect for them. [LNB]"But I think sometimes he took advantage of that in some ways. Me and Gallas didn't talk to each other at all. I didn't want to leave the team in a difficult position, so I was the one who said I wanted to go. [LNB]"I think Arsene (Wenger) understood that. I didn't want to make any trouble to Arsenal because I had a really good time there and they gave me my chance there. There is no problem with me and Arsene. I have huge respect for him." [LNB]Touré's departure and Gallas's calf injury, sustained against Barcelona last month, have contributed to Arsenal being left with the veteran pairing of Sol Campbell and Mikaël Silvestre at centre-half for the club's decisive fixtures at home and abroad in recent weeks. [LNB]Wenger's team have as many frailties as riches and, although they face City in third place with the visitors desperately attempting to dislodge Tottenham from fourth position, Touré insists that the Manchester club's immense wealth ensures that they are most likely to win the silverware he craved during his frustrating final years at Arsenal. [LNB]Touré said: "That is why I am at City because this football club wants to be on the top and, if you want to get to the top, then you need to have players who are capable of getting you there. [LNB]"The only thing you can bring players in with is money or, if you are like Arsenal, you wait for your youngsters to come in, but that can take a while. [LNB]"We really want to win trophies and I think I am at the right place to do that. [LNB]"At the end of the seasons at Arsenal, we were without any trophies and it was difficult for me because I had been used to winning trophies with Patrick [Vieira] and Dennis [Bergkamp] and, after four years without winning, it became difficult. [LNB]"Every time we got to the end of the season for key games, we would always have injuries or be unlucky sometimes. [LNB]"It has been like that for a few seasons now but Mr Wenger is a really intelligent man and, for next season, he will change a few things. [LNB]"I was at Arsenal for six years and everything was fantastic, but the last two years were a bit difficult. [LNB]"I had a few problems with a few people there and I was not feeling happy in the team and for me, I was looking for somewhere else and a new challenge." [LNB]Leading City to fourth place and the Champions League would replicate the feeling of winning a trophy for Touré. [LNB]The World Cup might lie on the horizon, but that can wait. Fourth place is everything. [LNB]Touré said: "I am just thinking about Manchester City. For me, I want to bring the club to fourth place and I am really focused on that. [LNB]"As a football player, you always think about the World Cup because it is a special thing but, like every other player, I just want to finish this season well." [LNB][LNB]Let's hear it for the old boys...[LNB]Patrick Vieira The hero returns. Ranked as Arsenal's fifth-greatest player in a fans' poll, the former captain won three League titles and four FA Cups in his nine years at Highbury. Sure to be granted a rapturous welcome on his first match at the Emirates.Love rating 8/10[LNB][LNB]Kolo Touré Seven years in north London is enough to ensure that Touré remains comparatively popular among Arsenal fans, many of whom felt the Ivorian had passed his peak towards the end of his time at the Emirates.Love rating 5/10[LNB][LNB]Emmanuel Adebayor If his departure for Eastlands last summer was not reason enough for rancour, the Togolese striker guaranteed himself a hostile greeting when celebrating in front of the Arsenal fans during City's 4-2 win against his former club in September. Only Ashley Cole could expect a worse reception.Love rating 1/10[LNB][LNB]Sylvinho The veteran Brazilian left-back, like reserve goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, is unlikely to feature against his former club, but should he be granted a late cameo, he will entice little or no hostility. The Brazilian spent two years under Arsène Wenger, between 1999 and 2001, before being displaced by Ashley Cole.Love rating 3/10[LNB]Rory Smith[LNB]
