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

October

A shoulder problem hampered most of Kolo’s October. The Ivorian started the month strongly with 90 minutes at Sunderland but picked up the injury in the month’s second game, the 3-1 victory over Everton. Kolo was handed the captain’s armband against the Toffees but, after damaging shoulder ligaments in the first half, he was withdrawn at half time. It was the centre half’s last appearance of the month although he did make the bench for the games against West Ham and Tottenham.

September

The Carling Cup game against Sheffield United aside, Kolo played every minute in September. After recovering from illness in August, Arsenal’s longest-serving player has established himself at the heart of the Gunners defence once again. "We really want to do something this season because it's three seasons now without winning anything," he said ahead of the Porto clash on the 30th. "We play some great football and everybody talks about us but we want to win a trophy to show the great football we play brings us some trophies.”

August

After a bout of malaria, Kolo was largely a bit-part player in the first half of August. But he came into his own in the month’s final game with a towering performance against the Magpies. Not only did he keep out Newcastle, he also went close at the other end, twice finding Shay Given in miraculous form. “The Fulham criticism definitely hurt the players,” said Toure after the win. “Arsenal is a big club and anyone who wants to play must give 100 per cent every game.”

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