King Kolo
By Rhys Wood on Thursday, September 21, 2006
I love Kolo Touré.
I love watching this guy play football for the Arsenal. It is magical. Kolo Touré embodies what any Arsenal player should be like – fair, talented, strong, fast, and passionate. By far, he is my favourite Arsenal player playing at the moment.
Kolo Touré plays football with such passion, and plays – literally – with the heart of a lion. That is a phrase that gets bandied about quite a lot, but quite literally Kolo Touré becomes an animal when he plays. An animal in a good way. He is not a violent, dirty, thug like defender at all. He just has an indomitable will that tells attackers that he will not let you through, no matter what. Touré does not resort to cheap kicks and elbows to beat a player; he uses his blinding pace and ferocious (yet still fair) tackling to nullify his adversary into nothingness.
When Kolo signed at the start of 2002 nobody was quite sure what to make of him. Wenger described him as utility player at the time able to play in multiple positions across the field. Indeed, in the four and a half years he has been at the club I have seen Kolo play everywhere: right-back, left-back, central midfield, right-wing, striker, and of course as a centre-back. In a way Kolo also began Wenger's often criticised policy of bringing in young, obscure young talent on the cheap and turning them into superstars – in a way he was the forerunner to Cesc Fabregas and Philippe Senderos, and perhaps it was his success at the club that gave Wenger the confidence to go on his blitz of signing a stack of young guns over the last three years, many of which make up the current Arsenal starting team; including Touré.
Many heads turned when twenty-two-year-old Touré lined up in the heart of defence, one of the two most important positions on the pitch (next to the central midfielders, at least in my opinion), alongside Sol Campbell. The once formidable veteran Martin Keown had been relegated to the substitute's bench with the luckless Pascal Cygan. I remember thinking that he would not be up to the job, that he would be far more suited to playing on the opposite flank to Ashley Cole where he would be able to utilise his Olympic sprinter like pace. I thought it would have been a better option to bring in another centre-back and leave Touré at right-back in the summer that only saw Jens Lehmann arrive from Borussia Dortmund.
Touré proved in any doubters wrong. In that season – our all conquering unbeaten season – he was incredible. Faultless all season, under Campbell the young Touré flourished as Arsenal finished the season without a league defeat and with the fewest goals conceded out of any team. He soon became a fan favourite as he nailed down one of two centre-back positions, forever condemning any hope Cygan had of ever becoming a first team regular again.
Sol Campbell began to decline as a player over the last two years. From being first choice for club and country, the best defender for both, he dramatically went backwards. Blighted by a range of injuries to his hamstrings and ankle, as well as loss of form and confidence Campbell's Arsenal career was in tatters. As the most experienced defender we had someone needed to fill his shoes – up stepped Kolo Touré.
Kolo took his game to another level as he became the most experienced defender in a back four that comprised compatriot Emmanuel Eboue, the young Philippe Senderos and make-shit left-back Mathieu Flamini. When he took the reigns over from Campbell as the number one defender it transformed Arsenal completely. It was not until Jens Lehmann had been sent off did the Touré-led defence concede a goal in the Champions League.
He often does not get the praise he deserves. I have no idea why, although I have my theories. He does not play for one of Europe's absolute giant clubs and he does not come from a 'fashionable' country like Spain, Italy or France. His quality as a player is not as known outside England, either. Sometimes it is not even completely known outside of North London! I can distinctly remember reading the various football forums I peruse and seeing the aghast reactions when I, along with fellow Arsenal fans, mentioned Kolo Touré as being one of the top five centre-backs in the world.
To a lot of football fans Touré remains an unknown quantity, and to mention him in the same breath as Fabio Cannavaro, John Terry and Carles Puyol is criminal. I guess that is why I laughed when Puyol was given the defender of the year award for last years Champions League ... to me it is criminal that such an overrated player like Puyol gets given the plaudits over Kolo Touré because of who he plays for, and because he was on the right side of the result in Paris four months ago.
I guess the point of this article is to say how much I like this guy, and how much he means to the Arsenal Football Club; nothing else. I have never met him, of course, living in Australia and not having returned home to the United Kingdom for a number of years makes it hard to personally meet the players I watch admiringly from afar every week.
But everything I have read about from people who have met the affable Touré indicates that he is a top bloke. I have read the stories in the broadsheets that give you an insight into player's lives. Touré leads a modest life, and would never be the type to be splashed all over the tabloid back pages about his escapades during the night like Jermaine Pennant. Touré is a dedicated Muslim, and sticks true to his faith as a peaceful, hard working family oriented man.
The Ashley Cole saga over the last eighteen month has really made me sit back and take a look at the state of football. I do not like what I see. Cole is the personification of a modern footballer; he cares only about himself, his money and his fame. Kolo does none of that. Kolo cares about his family (did you know that he sends a significant amount of his pay cheque back to the war torn Ivory Coast to help his large family survive the daily grind?), his club, and his football. He is the anti-thesis of Ashley Cole, the ying to Cole's yang. It is why I respect him so much, and why I love having this brilliant person wearing the cannon on his chest every single week.
One day when the great man Thierry Henry retires we will need a new captain, and there is no shortage of players who could wear the famous Arsenal armband. Kolo sticks out, for me, because he has leadership qualities everywhere. He would be deserving of it, too, as he is for his country as well.
As a person I respect him immensely. As a player I love him. Dennis Bergkamp will probably always be my all-time favourite Arsenal player but Kolo is fast catching the now retired non-flying Dutchman. Long live King Kolo, king of the Arsenal defence.
User Comments
34Zickar wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:33 PM:
I am one of the Arsenal fans that didn't trust toure much ... he used to make a couple of clumsy mistakes that turn out deadly ... that is ofcourse till last season : I changed my opinion in him radically ... I know rate hin as one of Europe's best just as good as Puyol and Cannavaro but more down to earth I guess ... and I agree on the captain thing ... he deserves being a captain he's got what it needs
33josh wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:24 PM:
i just gotta say, i enjoyed that article so much i 100% agree with everything you said and just reading you talk about kolo puts a smile on my face. when he his wearing he arsenal colours he plays with such passion and determination. up the gunners!
32Tom Clancy wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 07:45 PM:
I agree totally. You could also write the piece about Cesc as he and Kolo in my opinion, after Titi, are the most important players to this team.
31charlie wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 07:09 PM:
Well maybe it's not such a bad thing he's so underrated. What i mean by that is other clubs seem to leave us alone as far as he's concerned and i'm certainly not complaining about that. I think the man himself knows his worth to the team and what he means in the eyes of the fans. He's a top, top profesional and a world class example for young footballers to look upon.
30Stu wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 05:16 PM:
I remember the first time he came off the subs bench to play. He was like a man possessed! I can't think of too many players that put as much effort in on the football field as he does.
29Steve wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 05:05 PM:
I love Kolo as well, and agree with the article, apart from one thing- I really really really rate Carles Puyol. I think he is an inspirational centre back, with great ability and never say die attitude. I dont think he is ovre rated at all. John Terry, now he is overrated. Kolo plays in an attacking team with the two full backs bombing forward and defending on the half way line with only Gilberto in fornt. Terry defends in a negative team, more often than not with three centre backs (Boularhouz this season, Gallas the season before) where full backs dont get forward (Okay, Bridge and C*** go forward, but Ferreira doesnt) . He is also protected by Makalele and Essien. I think thats why Kolo should get more credit- he leads a young defence in an attacking team. I hope he stays for a long time
28fire at will wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 04:14 PM:
agree wholeheartedl Kolo Toure has great Spirit. his physicall prowess & fluid mind are a joy to watch.
27Rombosia wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 03:51 PM:
Well said man! It is hard to add any more, but al try. Kolo used to play for ASEC Mimosas. The top club in Cote D'Ivoire. It has a similar policy to Arsenal of naturing young guns. It has brought out the likes of Eboue, Zokora, Yaya Toure, Kone (PSV) etc. It'll surprise many to know that at Asec, Toure was a striker! That shows his versatile nature. He is a rock! and just like U, I was aghast to read that Puyol was voted best defender. What???? Barca were good going forward, but everyone knew their Achilles heel was in defence, n they leaked like sieves. How Puyol beat Kolo is anyone's guess. Still, I love the guy! Go Kolo!! Go Gunners!!
26Tyro wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 03:41 PM:
He literally becomes an animal? And literally plays with the heart of a lion? Not, say, metaphorically? But he actually has the heart of a lion and actually turns into an animal? Was he the squirrel? That's the only animal I've evr seen on the pitch during a game so I can only assume it was. I love people who can't use the word literally properly...
25Desmond Weston wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 03:38 PM:
I am from sierra Leone. I just want to comment about the happiness Arsenal Fc gave me against Man United. The last time United beat us 2 nil at old trafford, my united friends use the advert on our arsenal jersey to provoke me (saying 02 was our name. I would like to show my arsenal supporters what the AIG being advertise on man utd jersey represent. It means ADEBAYOH IS GOOD (AIG) , AND ARSENAL IS GREAT Hope you like em'
24Jon wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 03:37 PM:
I totally agree with this article. Along with cesc, he my favourite player. He is very underated by people, because he isn't fashionable enough being from a big country. Everytime I see him play he plays with excellence, passion and flair. He is definately one of the best centre backs in the world I rate him higher than puyol, and terry who at times can be prone to stupid errors. I'd bet that if he was english, he'd be the first centre back name on the team sheet.
23longtimegunner87 wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 03:05 PM:
couldn't agree with u more m8. Toure in my eyes is world class and one of the most underrated defenders in the world. Yea ok so he doesn't come from a country that breeds world class talent but ever since he's been playin for us he's been a rock. A fantastic player and i'm sure the main reason why wenger let campbell go. (He definately wasn't playin well but kolo became the main man, the one defender who is a defo without fail on the teamsheet) He is immense for us and i'm sure every arsenal fan will side with you there. Opposition fans may not agree but for me toure is in the top five defender list without fail. A great man and great player.
22arsenalkang wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 02:38 PM:
Sure,he is one of most important players! No one can substitude him!
21sobi_gonner wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 02:28 PM:
some where Cashely wrote that he does'nt know if Toure has girl friend or not. which was so stupid thing to even talk about this; as we all know Toure is Muslim & mostly Muslims does'nt believe in girl friend & stuff as they prefer to marry. i even like Toure alot. he is really playing big part in making Arsenal a success football club.
20Ade wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 02:27 PM:
It couldn't have been said any better.
19Evans wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 02:20 PM:
Absolutely fabulous article. I can feel the emotion of the author,i agree all the way.........long live king Kolo!!!!!
18arsenor wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 01:37 PM:
just to second all that was said above,the mans a god!,a shining example of of this was seen in the man-u match...91 minutes have passed,we are now 1 nil up,he has played in a high templed,highly phyisical game through the pain barrier with a bad hip,with signs during the game it was still hurting badly,after hoffing the ball clear he goes down in clear agony,any other player would have stayed on the ground to try to run the clock down,what does he do,he just gets up and lets the game continue even though you can see clearly the the pain he must be feeling.You cannot put a price on that,if henry is worth 50 million how much is he worth to arsenal,i dont reckon wenger would think about selling him even if he were offered 60 million for him.
17Muhindo Norman wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 01:31 PM:
I think we share alot with you in as far as analysing soccer is concerned. Kolo Toure has only been underrated just because of his back ground. I strongly believe that Africans have not been treated fairly when it comes to position rankings. Iam not an Arsenal fan but sincerely speaking NO central defender in the premiership that is better than Kolo.Like you said, he should have taken the award of the defender of the year basing on the fact that Arsenal had broken the record of games with conceding in the Compions league.
16Mohan wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:58 AM:
Agree with all of that, he's been an absolute star. When him & Gallas get their CB partnership going it should be the best in the League.
15Rachid wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:47 AM:
Excellent article. Glad to see someone finally giving him the respect he deserves. He should've been made man of the match against Manure on Sunday.
14Ole wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:26 AM:
I could not agree more. Kolo is an outstanding player, and I do believe he is our single most important member of the team. We can obviously cope without Henry (or so it seems) but the strength and pace of Toure is incredible in defence. All Hail Kolo
13rodnot71 wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:22 AM:
Well done for the article. Toure for me is what Arsenal needs. I mean that he plays with his heart and gives everything for that famous jersey of red and white. Though I am not a Muslim as he is, but to send some of his earnings to others in need, you must have a Golden Heart. As you said maybe if Kolo was from an other country, surely he would had won the best player award. I never had the opportunity not just to meet him , but unfortunately none of the players. I am from England, and I only watch matches on the screen, and secondly I am like that great players, Dennis, I am afraid to fly.
12Welshlad wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:19 AM:
Good article. Kolo is the man. If I may be so bold as to point out a linguistic criticism (AM as a forum is strict about the proper use of language). You should - literally - learn the meaning of the word.
11Gooner_4_eva wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:12 AM:
I agree with all you said. I feel exactly the same way about Toure. No rubbish talk in the papers at all. He just puts his head down and lets his game do the talking. Myonly problem is I remember someone telling me he gets paid 15,000 pounds a week. I honestly hope this is not true for a player who definitely deserves more. Otherwise, we might have to start fighting off other clubs come next May/June.
10Nick wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 10:05 AM:
Thanks for an excellent piece on one of Arsenal's best players, and certainly one of our top assets. No fuss, all commitment, fair but strong minded - everything a footballer should be. Like you, I fail to see why he is so often overlooked, but I think he knows how much he is appreciated by the crowd! Long live King Kolo!
9puskas wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:39 AM:
Great article, it totally sums up the strange man love I too feel for Kolo. The great thing is, as a centre-back, his best years are still ahead of him and he could still be there in 10 years time. I think most gooners would agree he has the making of an Arsenal great. He's also got crazy little elf ears for a large man!
8Zeek wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:39 AM:
Kolo Toure Muslim? really? thts something I didnt know. I heard Van Persie is Muslim as well as he married a Morroccan Dutch Girl who is muslim. Maybe thats why he changed from an angered man to a more subtle type? Anyways your article about Toure is great, He's my first choice defender in the world.
7qs wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:26 AM:
Couldn't agree more. Kolo is Arsenal. I hope he never leaves us.
6Dejan-Belgrade wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:25 AM:
In my opinion Kolo is the best CB in the world, much better then Puyol in last CL. He has leadership qualities to become Arsenal capt. one day, and I hope he will be at Arsenal to end of career.
5Imtiaz Wookay wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:24 AM:
Excellent article!!! Kolo is my hero and its great to see his worth being acknowledged for once. His humility, dedication and galliant spirit makes him a lion of a man and a true Arsenal legend!!! Dont mess with the KOLO!!!!
4Urge wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:24 AM:
Absolutly, I believe he will be the best defender in the world. But as most Arsenal players, he wont be recognised until Barcelona or Real Madrid buy him. Also hes way better then Terry. A Defender playing in an attacking team has more work to do then a defender who plays in a defensive team, that has 5-6 players infront of him. I just bought an Arsenal jersey and didnt get Henry's, van Persie's or Fabregas' name on the back. I got Touré's name as i think hes our most importent yet unsung player.
3Sav wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:16 AM:
I think you are absolutely spot on. However, in premiership people have realised how good defender toure really is. He is awesome as always and very down to earth guy. He will become one of my all time favourite arsenal player but have to admitt that Denis will always be my favourite player and that includes tony, Henry and Vieira.
2Rickster wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:13 AM:
Got to agree with you, he's our new Viera (of old) in many ways. If all our players put as much effort and commitment into each and every game as Kolo does then we'd be a truly wonderful team already, one that would dominate for many years to come...
1Ollie wrote on 21 Sep, 2006 at 09:04 AM:
Great article, yes Kolo must be the most underrated central defender in the world, but we know what he's worth. And yeah, as you said apparently a top bloke. Refreshing at the time of the Ashley C***s of this world.
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