Arsenal are finally set to deliver a piece of good news to their fans by confirming the £11,2m signing of Lille forward Gervinho.
The Ivorian will finally be unveiled by the Gunners tomorrow after almost a month of wrangling with the French champions, and will jet off with his new teammates on a tour of Asia early next week.
In a week when the final member of the Invincibles team of 2004 was moved on, and with Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas likely to follow Gael Clichy out the door, it is welcome news that one of Ligue 1’s most exciting players has signed for the club.
Gervinho was a virtual ever-present for Lille last season, scoring 15 times, as they ended a 57-year wait for the league title.
He was the only player to reach double figures for both goals and assists (10) last season.
The 24-year-old will add a more direct approach to Arsenal’s attacking play, but standing at just under 6ft, does not represent the steel many believe is sorely missing from their line-up.
Tottenham attempted to hijack the bid for Gervinho late on, but the Ivory Coast international snubbed his new club’s north London rivals. Speaking last week, 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.
“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.
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I’m going to Arsenal to win.” The lure of Champions League football was influential in the Ivorian choosing the Emirates over White Hart Lane and he is also looking forward to playing in England.
He added: “The Premier League is a notch (above the rest). It’s maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation.” —Daily Mail
