Gervinho: Joining Arsenal was a career highlight

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Dec 19, 2018. 09:00

Ivory Coast attacker made a dream come true by joining the Gunners.

Ivory Coast attacker Gervinho says he made a boyhood dream become reality when he signed for Premier League giants Arsenal.

The 31-year-old, who has impressed in Serie A this season with Parma, signed for the Gunners from French side Lille in 2011 and spent two seasons at the Emirates Stadium.

Though he didn’t pick up any silverware in his time with the London club, Gervinho is very proud of his time there.

"Many young players tell you that they want to play for Manchester United or Arsenal. My dream was to play for Arsenal and I realised it," the attacker told Goal. "When I arrived, I thought: 'Wow, I'm here!'

"Each of my clubs made an impression on me, but Arsenal was special. When Arsene Wenger called me to tell me that he would like me to come to his club, I don't think you imagine the satisfaction I felt just after hanging up the phone.

"Arsenal is an historic club. At the time, it was a club that made a lot of young people dream, with a style of its own and a coach like Wenger who had all of England at his feet. There was not one player who did not like watching Arsenal, with Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and others."