What's happened to Kolo Toure?

[Shaggy]

I used to really enjoy watching him play, with his infectious enthusiasm and great last-ditch tackling. He was immense for them, especially during their 'invincibles' season. He played alongside Sol Campbell back then but since Sol's departure Toure seems to have steadily gotten worse, before finding himself at right-back at the back end of last season and now, strangely, out of the team completely.

Apparently he's now handed in a transfer request after a bust-up with, shock horror, Bill Gallas.

Anyone have any insight into the decline of Kolo Toure?

[AFII]

I think he has finally found out that Arsenal won't be a top class team anymore and lost a bit motivation because of that.

A player used to win things can get problems when they don't even challenge anymore.

Good player with the wrong mentality. You can say the same about a lot of their players. Wenger have a big job to do to change that.

[magicalbarnes]

Apparantley he's going to Man City for £8m

[Vermilion]

I think he has finally found out that Arsenal won't be a top class team anymore and lost a bit motivation because of that.

A player used to win things can get problems when they don't even challenge anymore.

Good player with the wrong mentality. You can say the same about a lot of their players. Wenger have a big job to do to change that.

But don't Arsenal have share holders that are mega rich, this Usminov (spelling) alone is loaded, then there's Klondike, he's loaded, the board members are also not short of a few quid.

Wenger will, one day, have to swallow his pride and spend, enough to make them proper challengers again, and with City now here too it'll be hard.

I think Wenger has been there 12 years....12 ****in years man, how many Titles is it..2 or 3?, but it's been a while now since the last, and no Champs lge either.

[Jayesh87]

My Arsenal supporting mate says he has been **** since returning from the african cup of nations (or wateva it is called!)

[AFII]

My Arsenal supporting mate says he has been **** since returning from the african cup of nations (or wateva it is called!)

I think he got Malaria around that time if I remember things right.

[meffin]

whilst away at the african cup of nations, he was swapped with his twin who is **** at football

[slimbimjim]

He would be immense alongside Carra (if we didn't have Skrtel)

[MrsB]

I think he got Malaria around that time if I remember things right.

Yes, he picked up malaria on ACN duty. Since then he's looked a shadow of the player he once was. However, he will stay at Arsenal, according to Wenger:

We spoke about it with him and I think he has changed his mind. I am happy with players who are committed and Kolo is a big example for that. There was a minor incident that you could multiply by 20. It happens every day in every club and is sorted out now. Kolo is happy here.

[dww]

I always thought that he was a defender who based a lot of his game on his athletic ability. As such it would make sense that he would struggle post infection with Malaria. I also think that all of Arsenal's defense have suffered from a lack of midfield protection this season which will have exacerbated existing problems (which in general include an over reliance on athleticism and a lack of height IMO). I also think that Wenger has put a lot of stress on his CB pairing as he has two very attacking fullbacks.

Toure also suffers from not being much of a leader and with Gallas having become even more of a self obsessed loon of late that can't help the defensive unit and will have made Toure look bad. A poor relationship between the two CBs would be a problem so maybe Toure is out simply because he wouldn't work with Gallas and they need at least one player with organisational/leadership skills in the back five (including keeper) and so Gallas gets the nod (despite his numerous problems this season).

[The Erectile Banana]

I've always had a great deal of admiration for Toure. He was always one of the most underrated players in the title winning Arsenal sides of recent years. It's sad to see him fall from grace somewhat but his partnership with Gallas is clearly not working. Arsenal would be best served by shipping out Gallas and signing an imposing physical defender like Skrtel or Vidic to play alongside Toure and get the best out of him.