Toure reveals Gunners snub

Midfielder happy to stay at Camp Nou

By Lucas Brown   Last updated: 18th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Toure reveals Gunners snub

Toure: Happy at Barcelona

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Yaya Toure has revealed that Arsene Wenger and his brother Kolo tried to persuade him to join Arsenal in the summer, but he did not want to leave Barcelona.

The 25-year-old midfielder was reported to be the subject of interest from the Gunners in the media and now the player himself has revealed that efforts were made to make him move.

However, after only one season at Camp Nou, Toure did not want to leave and had to tell both Wenger and his brother that he did not want to go to North London.

"Both Wenger and my brother told me in the summer that I should join Arsenal, but I told them that I am very happy at Barcelona," he said on RAC-1 radio.

In the Blaugrana's first few games of the season, Toure's chances have been limited, but he understands that he will have to be patient given the level of competition at the club.

Patient

"We cannot play with twelve. I am physically fit, but one must respect the coach's decision," he explained. "I am a professional and if I am not playing that I must be patient for the good of the team.

"When you pull on a Barca shirt you are representing one of the biggest clubs in the world and you have to win every game.

"The competition is good. We have two very good players for every position and that is crucial when you are playing for the best team in the world.

"Now we have to play well and with real spirit. All the players are conscious that this season we have to win something."