Toure - I was forced out

Ivorian defender reveals the motives behind his decision to join City

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 23rd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Toure - I was forced out

Toure: Had to move on

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Kolo Toure has admitted that a falling out with an Arsenal team-mate forced his summer transfer to Manchester City.

The Ivory Coast international opted to make a switch to Eastlands after enduring a difficult 2008/09 campaign in North London.

Having been denied the playing time he craved, the experienced centre-half felt the time was right to move on.

He has, however, suggested that his lack of activity last term was the result of underhand tactics from a colleague.

The 28-year-old defender has refused to reveal the name of the culprit in question, but it is widely assumed that William Galls is the man to have incurred Toure's wrath.

Controversy

"I had problems with certain players at Arsenal, especially one, whose name I will not say because I don't want to feed the controversy," Toure told Eurogoals One to One.

"I didn't have much time on the pitch last year because I think there's a player who got the manager believing that he and I had no understanding on the field. That did surprise me hugely."

Toure insists he did nothing to cause friction in the Arsenal camp, admitting that he had hoped to see out his playing days at Emirates Stadium.

"I have never looked to put a spoke in anyone's wheel at all," he added.

"My wish was to finish my career at Arsenal, but there are always banana skins."

Barclays Prem 2009/10 Win Outright: Man City 25/1

Comments (28)

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Sams Akin (Arsenal fan) says...

I would have respected Toure better if he said he moved for the money. That would have been a honest statement

Posted 18:14 24th November 2009

Reece Smith (Arsenal fan) says...

Toure and Adebayor need to set their priorities. they keep talking about how they dislike arsenal but say how they never wanted to leave. we have replacd them and we have moved on, so should they

Posted 14:48 24th November 2009

Michael Bonnici (Manchester City fan) says...

As a City fan I am sick and tired of reading and hearing comments like these. Almost every player in the city team have spoken out in controvesy this season. Elano ireland, tevez, ade, toure, barry. Enough is enough! the players that have arrived this season need to act and play more commited to city, forget abt ur old clubs, ur at a new one who are capable of achieving great things, but this mentality needs to change and we need to stop drawing games and see out our wins!!! Seems like every new arrival has not come to be parrt of the city set up but to complain about there old clubs and miss fortunes

Posted 14:29 24th November 2009

John C (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Arsenal 'fans' The chances are, someone asked Toure the question 'Why did you actually leave Arsenal?' I don't know if any of you actually understands that an interview normally means question first , then you give an answer. You all seem blinded by stupidity and Bitterness!!

Posted 13:10 24th November 2009

Ken Cox (Arsenal fan) says...

For the amount of money that was being touted....I would of helped pack your bags and thrown you to Citeh myself. It is business. Get over yourself, Toure. You are just angry because you thought you would be challenging for honours. You were a great player when you were here....now you ply your trade elsewhere. Help that other Ex-Gunner on his way as well. Concentrate on your new club now

Posted 12:59 24th November 2009

Simon Waters (Arsenal fan) says...

Who cares? He's gone, but still like adebayor there are still interviews about why they left. It's all getting very boring now. Stop asking them the same questions. It's all been said before.

Posted 07:44 24th November 2009

William Gallas (Arsenal fan) says...

We wish you luck in your new team but we now have another centre half who does not seem to have any issues with his team mates so all is well that ends well.

Posted 22:13 23rd November 2009

Zaki Mathephe (Arsenal fan) says...

It's good that you left, we replaced you with a very good CB (Thomas Vermaelen).You don't want to reveal the name of the player you had problems with at Arsenal so why give the interview in the first place, you sound stupid I must say. I think you & Adebayor need to stop talking about Arsenal, please focus on playing for your team.

Posted 12:12 23rd November 2009

Etulove Motrue (Arsenal fan) says...

Well said Toure. Ok fine,now why do u keep saying it as if you regret leaving Arsenal? We Arsenal are doing very much better after you left. I think it is self explanatory........

Posted 11:55 23rd November 2009

Tony Elliston (Liverpool fan) says...

i wouldn't be surprised about toure's comments.gallas is simply not a likeable person

Posted 11:53 23rd November 2009

Keith M (Arsenal fan) says...

How odd, Toure played the same number of games last season as he did the year before...

Posted 11:52 23rd November 2009

Michael Jordan (Chelsea fan) says...

William Gallas, he is the one who always complaints to Arsene behind everyone's back. Why do you think he was kicked out of Chelsea Fc. He is never pleased, always wants all the attention from everyone. such a cry baby. and now he is planning to leave Arsenal in the summer. just wait and see

Posted 11:48 23rd November 2009

Jonathan Casbon (Arsenal fan) says...

Kolo's been to the same media school as Adebayor I see! Why does he now need to bring this up, as he states "I don't want to feed the controversy"? I feel he will be another to add to the list of ex Arsenal players to leave and do nothing. I used to like Kolo but I feel comments like these will hurt his reputation amongst the Arsenal fans.

Posted 11:44 23rd November 2009

Steve Jackson (Manchester United fan) says...

Why is it that all Man city players can talk about is their previous clubs? Tevez never shuts up about united, ade always seems to be talking about arsenal, now toure. If Man city are as big a club as they make out why do they need to talk about everyone else? The only way anyone cares what they have to say is to talk about their old clubs as they are actually big clubs who have had success where as man city haven't won anything, haven't won for 5 league games and havent actually done anything worth talking about other than spend stupid money on players who clearly werent worth that much to their club. I have to say neither arsenal or Utd seem to be missing these big players much as they are high above city. Perhaps the players miss the clubs thats why they cant stop talking about them.........

Posted 11:37 23rd November 2009

Katie Young (Arsenal fan) says...

Come on Kolo. Not the victim mentality from you as well. You've been hanging around with another Arsenal player who recently switched to Citeh, and wants everyone to believe that the world is against him. All Arsenal fans know that youand Gallas didn't get on, but do you ever get on with all of your co-workers. Please don't succumb to the poor, poor pitiful me act. You were King Kolo, and we all loved you. You are an Arsenal legend. Remember that...

Posted 11:32 23rd November 2009

Ian Jones (Arsenal fan) says...

The reason Toure was not playing that often last season was because he was in poor form. He was ill from the start of the season and never really recovered. He probably decided to leave in the end because he knew that new signing Vermaelen was a better CB than him. I always liked Toure, he had passion for the game but to leave a club you (so-called) love because you don't get on with someone is just plain cowardace in my opinion. Are you sure you didn't just go for the money Kolo ?????

Posted 11:29 23rd November 2009

Andy Neville (Arsenal fan) says...

If he loved the club so much then he should have stuck it out. gallas has only got a couple years left in him. i used to consider Toure as one of the great players that we had in our side, unfortunately he let us down and chose money over dignity and pride

Posted 11:28 23rd November 2009

Tom White (Arsenal fan) says...

Oh diddums Kolo, another reject moaning because you have made a massive mistake thinking the grass is greener...unlucky

Posted 11:14 23rd November 2009

Darren Joliny (Arsenal fan) says...

Sounds like a broken record! Since the summer the only thing Toure and Adebayor have spoken about is how they were "forced out". They both sound jealous of Arsenals succes so far without them and like bitter, bitter men. Grow up lads and concentrate on your own team

Posted 11:05 23rd November 2009

Richard Jones (Arsenal fan) says...

I really can't understand why Adebayor and Toure keep dragging up the past. Toure had the backing of all the Arsenal fans, even though the past two years he has been far from his best. Toure played 42 matches for Arsenal last season. I wouldln't call that a lack of matches, especially when the reported player he had disagreements with only played 36 matches. Can't agree with you on that point Kolo and i doubt Tony Adams would have walked away if he had a difference of opinion with a team mate when he was at Arsenal.

Posted 11:02 23rd November 2009
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