The Ivorian has established himself as one of the Premiership's finest defenders, even if 2007/08 was a relatively poor year by his standards.
Signed from Ivory Coast club ASEC Mimosas in 2002, Kolo was initially employed as a utility man but emerged as a crowd favourite during the 2003/04 ‘Invincibles’ season, when he linked up with Sol Campbell at the heart of the Gunners’ defence.
Quick and agile, Toure is one of the first names on Arsene Wenger’s team-sheet, but by his own admission 2007/08 was one of his poorest seasons for the club. Injury, and absence for the African Cup of Nations, affected his performance and he gave away a penalty against Liverpool in the Champions League with his side just five minutes from the semi-final. There remain doubts whether he can play alongside William Gallas.