Kolo Toure gunning for revenge: Arsenal will regret letting me go

Former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has vowed to show Arsene Wenger what he’s missing when his current side Liverpool visit the Emirates on Saturday.

Relishing in his role as part of the three-man defence that has helped the Reds to gain some early-season momentum, Toure is looking forward to returning to the Emirates and hopes the club’s great start continues.

“It is always special playing against them but at the same time I want to show them they made a mistake in letting me go,” he told the Metro.

“I think it is going to be a great game for me. It is always a great time for me when I play against the club I used to play for.

“I will try my best to show them I am a great player – but for my team first as that is most important.”

The 32-year old defender left the Gunners for Manchester City in 2009 for the sum of £16 million. Toure never really settled in Manchester though, and found himself playing a bit-part role before Brendan Rodgers snapped him up on a free transfer this summer.

Despite his disappointment when Arsenal sold him to a title rival, Toure holds nothing but respect for Arsene Wenger after the French manager brought him out of obscurity at ASEC Misomas to eventually become a central figure in the Gunners’ ‘Invincible’ side.

“Without him I was not going to play in England. He was the one who saw me and for me he is a fantastic manager,” he added.

“But it’s not the time to talk about him. I’ve spoken about him in the past and for me it is a fight.

“I want to make my team win and I don’t want to think about any good things he did for me because that might ease my temper.

“The only thing I think is ‘I will show them’.”

With both sides going into Saturday’s game in good form, it looks set to be a classic a19nd one most defenders would be dreading; Toure, however, will be just thankful to feel wanted again after a tough stint at the Etihad.

Kolo Toure has successfully completed 12 of his 15 tackles so far this season, more than any other centre-back at the club.

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