Arsene Wenger is fantastic and he will fight for Arsenal until he decides to leave, insists Invincible Kolo Toure

  • Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has come under increasing scrutiny 
  • Former player Kolo Toure has backed the Frenchman to fight for the club 
  • Toure says 'fantastic' Wenger will leave when he decides the time is right
  • Ex-Celtic man is deciding whether to take up a coaching role with Scottish club

Kolo Toure has lavished praise on under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and insists he will fight for the club until he makes the decision to leave.

Toure played under Wenger between 2002 and 2009 and was part of the famed Invincibles side that went an entire Premier League campaign unbeaten.

Now, having left Celtic at the end of the season, Toure is contemplating his options and spoke about Wenger at Soccerex this week. 

Kolo Toure has heaped praise on 'fantastic' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger this week

Kolo Toure has heaped praise on 'fantastic' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger this week

Wenger has been the subject of increasing scrutiny over his position as Arsenal manager

Wenger has been the subject of increasing scrutiny over his position as Arsenal manager

'He's done a lot for Arsenal,' the former Ivory Coast international said. 'The thing with Wenger is he is someone who can see talent in young players, if you look at players he made shine it's amazing.


'Right now it is a tough time but he's a fantastic manager. He loves the club, that's why he's still there, he wants the best for this club, he will fight until he decides [to leave].'

Toure made 326 appearances for the Gunners before leaving for Manchester City and then Liverpool, but after a successful year at Celtic he finds himself without a club.

He helped the side to win a domestic treble under Brendan Rodgers, but at the age of 36 is edging closer to the end of his playing career. 

Toure (right) played under Wenger for seven years, and was part of the famous 'Invincibles'

Toure (right) played under Wenger for seven years, and was part of the famous 'Invincibles'

Wenger holds the FA Cup and League Cup aloft during a victory parade back in May 1998

Wenger holds the FA Cup and League Cup aloft during a victory parade back in May 1998

'I am [considering a coaching role with Celtic] at the moment,' Toure revealed. 'I am at a point where I need to make a decision. It is always difficult to stop playing, it is what I love and I still want to play, but 36 is a lot!

'Now I take the next step which is coaching, I want to stay in the game, I want to help young players, give them my experience and advice to get better.

'I learned from [Thierry] Henry, [Dennis] Bergkamp, [Martin] Keown, [Sol] Campbell and I want to help young players improve themselves, because it is a beautiful game.' 

Toure (second right) spoke at Soccerex on a panel including Mike Phelan and Stan Collymore

Toure (second right) spoke at Soccerex on a panel including Mike Phelan and Stan Collymore