Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is backing Gervinho to return from the Africa Cup of Nations boosted by his semi-final winning goal.
Gunners boss expects Ivory Coast international to return lifted
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is backing Gervinho to return from the Africa Cup of Nations boosted by his semi-final winning goal.
Ivory Coast international Gervinho struck for his side against Mali to secure a place in Sunday's final against Zambia.
The 24-year-old featuring in the final means that he is unable to participate for Arsenal in their Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland.
However, despite the forward being away on international duty, Wenger has been tracking the progress of Gervinho and is eager to see him in a Gunners shirt again soon.
Confidence
"It was a cracking goal against Mali," he told the club's
official website. "They were the better side but he made the difference. They scored only one goal, Gervinho made it and you can basically say he scored it on his own because he started on the halfway line and finished in a cool way.
"That's great news for his confidence and his country as well because I believe they are the best team in Africa by a big distance at the moment.
"He creates those dangerous situations but the coolness he misses a little bit. That can help him to do that. I feel he proved that with us.
"Also, who doesn't want to be a hero in his own country? That will help him to be recognised in his own country and therefore boost his confidence levels."
Unfortunate
The Arsenal boss has also revealed midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has undergone an operation on the ruptured knee ligaments he suffered during his loan spell with Wolves.
"He had surgery on Thursday night unfortunately," he added. "He had what we have seen so many times; one cruciate goes and then the other as well.
"I believe that it is unfortunate. The fortunate situation is that we could have surgery straight away and that this threat over his head is now gone.
"It's a tough time because he was doing very well at Wolves. But hopefully we can get him back in the autumn."
