Kolo: The 'Last Invincible'

Eyebrows were raised when Arsene Wenger declared Kolo Toure as his first choice defender at the commencement of the would be unbeaten season. Martin Keown’s departure had left everybody expecting a new big money signing. Instead Wenger opted for some Kolo Toure, bought originally as an attacking midfielder. By the end of the season the critics had turned admirers. Voted as the most improved player of the season, Kolo Toure proved that he was here to stay..

A 11Gunners analysis of the ‘Last Invincible‘..

His partnership with Campbell was reassuring at the back. There wasn’t a single premiership game in which Arsenal conceded more than 2 goals. Kolo was more versatile than just a pure breed centre back, his burst of pace and thunderous shots on goal were applauded loud and clear by the fans. He was also personified with a childlike exhuberance; he would run to the goal scorer after every goal, would be there when the player needed a hug or a pat on the pack. His energy levels surely lifted team spirits and on a personal level he felt deeply committed to the club, the manager and the faithfuls alike.

He no more a Gunner and has now shifted bases to the ‘Blue half of Manchester’. That makes him the ‘Last Invincible’ and he can proudly claim that he saw the club through its ups and downs and performed his responsibilities while maintaining the cheerful smile on his face. Arsenal faithful have no grudges against Kolo who played his heart out for us and left for the want of a fresh beginning.

Arsenal won the League that year. Winning the league is one thing, doing so without tasting defeat is something else.  History was made and he became a part of it. Arsenal were the ‘Unstoppables’, the ‘Unbeatables’ and Kolo Toure thus became an:

INVINCIBLE

Also Read:

11Invincibles- The Introduction

11Invincibles: Jens Lehmann(Goal Keeper)

11Invincibles: Ashley Cole(Left Back)

11Invincibles: Lauren(Right Back)

11Invincibles: Sol Campbell(Central Defender)

11Invincibles: Gilberto Silva(Central Midfielder)

11Invincibles: Freddie Ljungberg(Right Midfielder)

11Invincibles: Robert Pires(Left Midfielder)

11Invincibles: Patrick Vieira(Central Midfielder)

11Invincibles: Dennis Bergkamp(Forward)

11Invincibles: Thierry Henry(Forward)