Toure happy alongside Gallas

Defensive duo united for Arsenal

Last updated: 25th February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Toure happy alongside Gallas

Toure: Happy alongside Gallas

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Kolo Toure insists he has set aside his differences with William Gallas to forge a successful defensive partnership for Arsenal.

The duo produced another assured display in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round clash against Roma, with Robin van Persie's penalty giving the Gunners a 1-0 lead.

Toure, who has been handed the captain's armband in the absence of injured midfielder Cesc Fabregas, was strongly linked with a move to Manchester City during the winter transfer window.

Manager Arsene Wenger suggested earlier in the season that Toure and Gallas were struggling to establish an understanding and that was followed by reports of a training ground bust-up and subsequent transfer request from the Ivory Coast international.

Toure believes the duo have demonstrated their quality in recent weeks and is focused on booking a place in the last eight of the Champions League and climbing back into the top four in the Premier League.

In the past

He said: "William and I, we used to play together and last season I think we only lost three or four games together. I think we know each other really well and we are quite happy to play together.

"Everything is at the end now. It has finished and in the past.

"I am delighted to be at the club, playing every week and helping the team to win games.

"The season is still long and we are out for all the trophies.

"Every game is really important, we will take it game by game and try 100 per cent and see at the end of the season [where we are]."

"I love Arsenal - I have been at the club for seven years now and it is the club of my heart and I am quite happy at the moment."