LONDON — Arsene Wenger began his Arsenal Football Club rebuilding job by snatching Gervinho from under Tottenham’s noses.
And the Ivory Coast striker, 24, has vowed to help the Gunners end their six-year trophy drought. Gervinho is on the verge of sealing an £11 million move from Lille — as SunSport revealed on June 15.
And he said: “I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily. I could develop more over there. There’s only a few details left to sort out.
“A risk? Not at all. I’m going to Arsenal to play. The best risk to take is to look to score goals and to play a lot.
“In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I’m going to Arsenal to win.”
Boss Wenger and the offer of Champions League football gave Arsenal the edge over Spurs for Gervinho. It has been a protracted move as Lille have tried to get Arsenal to meet their asking price.
Wenger has already had a cheeky £7,2 million bid thrown out but is set to clinch a deal with the French outfit.
It could happen as early as Monday when Gervinho, who has agreed a four-year deal worth £60 000-a-week, returns from holiday. Talking to France Football, he added: “I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there’s always a period of analysis and negotiations.
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“All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly. I’m going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game. And I love teams that love the game.
“The Premier League is a notch above. It’s maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation.”
Arsenal last night started talks with Southampton over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Wenger is certain to sign the 17-year-old midfielder for £12 million but the main sticking point is how the transfer will be broken up with the Gunners likely to cough up an initial £6 million.
