Arsene Wenger: Kolo Toure was one of my most satisfying signings

Kolo Toure: still admired by former boss Arsene Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hailed Liverpool’s Kolo Toure as one of his ‘most satisfying’ signings in his time at the club.

The Ivory Coast international joined the Club from ASEC Mimosas in 2002 and would go on to become part of the ‘Invincibles’ side of 2003/04.

The 32-year-old may have left the Gunners in 2009 to join Manchester City, but Wenger still retains a fondness and admiration for the defender who is set to line-up for opponents Liverpool on Saturday.

“I am pleased for him because he came here completely unknown and made a great career,” Wenger told Arsenal.com.

“He’s a boy that’s dedicated, has sympathy for everybody, speaks with everybody and loves football passionately so you are happy that he is happy.

“Yes [he is one of my most satisfying signings] because he failed tests nearly everywhere; at two French clubs, at a Swiss club and nobody kept him.

“I kept him here after the tests, so he was not good enough for the smaller clubs but he made it in a big club. Maybe that was his luck as well.

“One of the things that convinced me was his sheer enthusiasm for the game and his huge desire to do well. As you know a successful life is about attitude and he had the right attitude and got the opportunity with us.”

Toure may be in the twilight years of his career, but he continues to produce some fine defensive displays for Brendan Rodgers’ men with a 80 per cent tackle success.