Category Archives: Gervinho

Gervinho penalty miss leads to Zambia victory

  By jtom | 13/02/2012 - 7:30 AM | Gervinho, International Arsenal
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It came down to penalties in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, and Gervinho clearly refused to take a spot-kick when Ivory Coast manager Francois Zahoui had requested him to step up. Finally, the Arsenal winger did take his turn as the 17th participant in the shoot-out and his strike was horribly wide. Stophira Sunzu won the African championship for Zambia on the next and final kick of the match.

I really don’t know what’s worse- refusing to take the penatly or wildly missing the penalty. Gervinho was one of the Ivory Coast’s most dangerous attacking players throughout the ninety minutes, yet he was one of the last players to step up to take on the pressure of converting a spot-kick. Apparently, even Gervinho is aware of his own inability to consistently finish chances.

Ironically, Kolo Toure, who went just before Gervinho, was the other Ivory Coast player to not convert his penalty. Thankfully for Kolo, Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba blew the opportunity to seal the win on the next kick. How did two players who have worn the red-and-white kit of Arsenal fail to perform in the dying moments of an international final?

However, Gunners weren’t the only ones to disappoint the supporters of Les Elephants. Gervinho won a penalty after making a darting run into Zambian box, but Drogba’s effort from the spot sailed high over the net. It’s the second time the Chelsea striker has missed a penalty in an Africa Cup of Nations final.

Even with the presence of Gervinho and former Gunners Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue on the side of the Ivory Coast, it’s difficult not to have your heart warmed by Zambia’s historic triumph.

In 1993, all but a couple members of the Zambian national side died in an aircraft disaster in Gabon on their way to a World Cup Qualifying match. The final on Sunday took place in a stadium not far from where the accident occurred.

Add to that the fact that a majority of Zambia’s players apply their trade in the Zambian league, and Hollywood script writers have a ready-made story for their next dramatic film. Up against players who have adorned some of the most famous kits of Europe, Zambia conquered the mighty Ivory Coast on their way to their first African title.

In spite of all the talk about handshakes and racism, football has again proven to be a highway for dreams and fairy tales.

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Barton: Gervinho incident kept me from joining Arsenal

  By jtom | 22/09/2011 - 7:45 AM | Gervinho
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Joey Barton has revealed that his brawl with Gervinho ended his chance of moving to the Emirates. Arsenal supporters should be praising Gervinho for keeping the QPR thug away from the club.

The incident occurred when Barton was still at Newcastle. During the first match of the season at St James’ Park, Barton picked Gervinho up by his shirt ,and Gervinho gave a slight tap to Barton’s cheek. Barton then dramatically fell to the ground in mock pain, and Gervinho was given a straight red card.

The current QPR thug had this to say to BBC Sport: “If I hadn’t played against Arsenal, I may have signed for them. There were a couple of conversations [with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger] but that’s different to actually signing.

“The Gervinho incident happened and there’s nothing I can do about it now. If it happened again, I’d like to think I’d deal with it differently.

“Things happen for a reason and there’s a lesson to be learned from it. Right now we sit above Arsenal in the table – hopefully that’s the case in May.”

Gervinho is now officially an Arsenal legend. If Barton’s story is true, then the Ivorian striker saved Arsenal from the controversy and drama that Barton brings to a club.

This week, Barton is having an ongoing fight with Wolves midfielder Karl Henry. Next week, Barton will going after another innocent victim. Arsenal aspire to have a sort of class and dignity, and nothing would do more to take away from that then signing Joey Barton.

It is possible that the QPR thug is just trying to flatter himself. I see no reason why Arsene Wenger would sign Barton. Yes, he is a good Premier League midfielder, but his emotional and Twitter problems could cause a problem in the dressing room. Plus, if we would have signed Barton, we may never have completed a move for Mikel Arteta.

I am not good at writing songs, but someone should come up with a chant thanking Gervinho for his efforts. He bravely took a three-match suspension in order to keep Barton away from the Emirates. Well done!

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Match Report: Arsenal 2-2 Boca Juniors

  By jtom | 30/07/2011 - 9:10 PM | Gervinho, Match Report, Players, Transfer News
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Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip in the second half against Boca Juniors.  Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey were the goal scorers for Arsenal, but the lead was wiped away by goals from Lucas Viatri and Pablo Mouche.  Arsene Wenger spoke after the match about recent transfer speculation.

Gervinho used his electric pace to set up Robin van Persie for the first goal of the match.  The Ivorian put a cross right into the Dutchman’s lap, and RVP finished it off in the 29th minute.  Gervinho was the centre of many Arsenal attacks this afternoon.

Carlos Vela set up Aaron Ramsey for the Gunners’ second goal in the 46th minute .  The Mexican made a brilliant run around three defenders before he was finally taken down.  The ball rolled to Ramsey, and the Welshman fired it into the back of the net.  Ramsey has shown a lot of confidence leading up the the season.

Two quick goals in the second half from Boca Juniors negated all of Arsenal’s hard work.  Juan Roman Riquelme is a midfield general, and he was at the centre of Boca’s attack. 

In the 68 minute, Lucas Vitari cut Arsenal’s lead to one with a powerful shot past Vito Mannone.  The goal was a result of a give-away from Sebastien Squillaci.  How is Squillaci still getting playing time?

Then, three minutes later, Boca substitute Pablo Mouche scored the equaliser, much to the dismay of the Gooner faithful.  Mouche out-muscled Johan Djourou and was alone with Mannone.  The keeper was helpless as the Boca man slid the ball into the net.

Visions of last season were present in the supporters minds.  Another two-goal lead coughed up, just another day at the office for the Arsenal defenders.  Arsene Wenger needs to act now or what we saw today could become a common theme once again.

Gervinho was really the only bright spot.  He was making his debut at the Emirates Stadium, and his pace and skill are already winning over the Gooner faithful.  Gervinho is proving to be a terrific partner for RVP.

Here is what Arsene Wenger had to say after the match about his new striker:  “… Gervinho is a good addition to our squad.  He is very interesting because he gives us options on both sides and through the middle.  He can integrate well with our team.

“We can be extremely dangerous on the counter-attack with the players we have, we have Walcott who was not involved today, we have Gervinho and with the midfield we have I believe we can be very quick in the transition to go forwards, so that is always something very interesting.  He can add that.”

Speed on the counter-attack is exactly what the squad was missing last season.  Walcott tried to speed up the play, but too often the team relied on short lateral passes and slow build-up play.  Arsene Wenger needs to use his squad’s quickness to hurt the opponent.

When asked about the committment of his two stars, Wenger replied:  “I don’t know.  I play the players who are available and Nasri is available so I play him.  Yesterday, I made a check up of all our situations and, I must tell you, nothing has moved since yesterday.  Not one way, nor another way.
 
“If Fabregas is committed to this Club and wants to stay, no money will get him out of here.  We are not in a position where we need to sell our players.  We want to keep our players.  We are not looking after money.  We want the players to stay here, from our side that is clear.”

Good for Wenger.  He is getting continually battered with questions about Nasri and Fabregas, and his position is well known.  Arsene wants both to stay but is willing to sell them at the right price.  No player is bigger than the club, and Fabregas and Nasri are not for sale.  If they want to go, then Wenger will let them.

Wenger again said that he wants the Nasri situation sorted within the “next two weeks.”  Wenger also addressed the inevitable departures of Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue: 

“They are both on the verge of a move but nothing has been concluded with anybody. I don’t have any club in mind for Nicklas Bendtner because we are far from having done anything with anybody. I cannot give you any club because we have given him the permission to move.”

When asked about Valencia winger Juan Mata, Wenger gave a broad answer about how players move in the transfer market.  Nothing ground-breaking, as the boss tends to generalize the transfer market every other day.

Arsenal will take on Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls tomorrow at 11:20 BST.

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Gervinho scores two to lead Arsenal to victory

  By jtom | 23/07/2011 - 7:35 PM | Gervinho, Injury News, Match Report, Players
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Gervinho made his Arsenal debut earlier today in stunning fashion.  The Ivorian striker netted both Arsenal goals as the Gunners surged past FC Cologne 2-1.  Cologne’s only tally came on an embarrassing own goal by Carl Jenkinson.

Jack Wilshere was key in both Gervinho goals.  In the 7th minute, Wilshere unleashed a brilliant through ball that found Gervinho.  The Ivorian lifted the ball over the keeper for the easy finish.  I say easy because that is how it  appeared.  The finish was really very skillful.

Gervinho struck again in the 15th minute.  Jack Wilshere threaded a ball to Theo Walcott, right by a stretching Cologne defender.  Walcott put a low cross into the middle and Gervinho stuffed it in while colliding with the Cologne keeper Michael Rensing.  Rensing had to leave the game after the impact.

Gervinho was substituted in the 29th minute for precautionary reasons.

Near the end of the first half, Cologne were turning up the pressure, and Carl Jenkinson gave in.  Jenkinson, in an attempt to clear a cross, chipped the ball into the air in the direction of his own goal.  The ball looped magically over Szczesny, who could do nothing about it.

The second half flow was disrupted by changes on both sides.  Regulars Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, and Bacary Sagna made appearences in the second half.  Besides a few crosses from Sagna, the trio did not make much impact on the match.

Lukas Podolski and Milivoje Novakovic were the main attacking threats for Cologne.  Both tested Szczesny, Mannone, and Fabianski a number of times.  Fabianski made his return from a hampering injury today.

Despite this win, Wenger still needs to buy a defender.  The terrible mistake by Jenkinson was a page right out of the Gunner playbook.  Koscielny will be proud.  But seriously, the mistake could have cost Arsenal the game.

Andrey Arshavin was not at his best today.  His touch and skill was there, but the vision and finishing was not.  The little Russian made poor passes and off-target shots throughout the second half.  If Arshavin was faster, he would be Theo Walcott.

Jack Wilshere is a reason to forget about Nasri and Fabregas.  The Englishman showed his pure class and skill today with his runs through the middle and excellent passing.  He will have a better season than Fabregas and Nasri, no matter if they stay or go.

Arsene Wenger commented on Gervinho’s performances (told to Arsenal.com):  “He has shown his qualities.  He has quick movement behind [the defence], the timing of his movement is great and he is easy to find.  We have seen what he can bring to the team and he contributes to the high pace we have in the team.”

Gervinho could be this season’s Chicharito.  Although Gervinho was more prominent at Lille than Hernandez was in Mexico, the Ivorian shows the same hunger for the ball.  Both know how to position themselves to scrape a goal past the opposition.  And finally, the two are supreme finishers.

Here is what Wenger had to say about the match afterwords: “We played at a good pace in the first half and looked dangerous.  Gervinho had a good start and that is always important for his confidence.  Overall, I liked today.  We took many risks and were exposed to counter-attacks but, overall, I am happy.”

Kieran Gibbs left Arsenal wide open for the counter-attack.  Sometimes he would be pushed farther up the pitch than the winger.  Gibbs is more of a winger than a left back.  He either needs to share more of the defensive responsiblities or he needs to be replaced.

Connor Henderson, who came on as a late sub for Gibbs, suffered an ugly injury to his leg late in the game.  Arsenal Wenger commented on the incident:  “The only sad thing today is the injury to Conor Henderson, it looks quite bad but let us hope that we have good news tomorrow morning.  He twisted his knee, I don’t know how big the damage is but the first signs don’t look too encouraging.”

Arsenal will take part in the Emirates Cup next weekend.  Many Gooners, like myself, will be looking forward to the match against the New York Red Bulls.  The American team features Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.  What will Arsenal do to prepare during the week?  Arsene has the answer:

“Training, training, training! Morning and afternoon.  It is a block of work that will be very intense for us.  Tomorrow will be an easier day but Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be higher levels of work.”

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