Arsenal Legend Martin Keown Rues Club’s Failure To Sign Yaya Toure

Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Martin Keown believes the Gunners probably missed the chance of signing Yaya Toure in 2002 despite the midfielder failing with an initial work permit application. The Ivorian had a trial alongside his elder brother Kolo at the north London club, and the latter ending up signing a long-term contract after the Gunners paid a £150,000 fee to ASEC Mimosas.

Amadou Diawara considers Yaya Toure as his inspiration

Napoli midfielder Amadou Diawara has hailed Yaya Toure as his inspiration as he aims to become a world-class footballer in the future. The Guinean-born ace has evolved into a regular first-team player in the Serie A this campaign, and his progress has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur of late.

In an interview covered on UEFA.com, the 20-year-old spoke about his idol Yaya Toure, whilst admitting that he has watched the Ivorian on numerous occasions in order to improve on his individual qualities, he said: "I really like Yaya Touré, for his peace of mind and game vision. I have often watched his games, to understand how he moves and what he does."

Yaya Toure No Regrets about Lack of Game Time at Manchester City

Yaya Toure claims that he is not worried the lack of regular first-team football at Manchester city. After much doubts about his future, the Ivory Coast midfielder ended up staying at the Etihad stadium by signing a new one-year contract back in the summer. He was a key figure towards the end of the 2016-17 season at City, and this raised expectation that he would once again reprise his role in the 2017-18 campaign. Toure, though, has been relegated to the role of a bit part player after managing only five matches so far this season.

The 34-year-old was seen in a 75 minute spell in the 1-0 victory over Feyenoord in the Champions League. This was the penultimate group match and City were comfortably cruising in the group stages to the knockout phases. Toure says that he has been enjoying himself in a different sort of way and that there are no issues between him and manager Pep Guardiola. Raheem Sterling came up with the only goal in the match to help City win the fifth consecutive group match in the Champions League. The club have a potential banana skin in the form of a visit to Huddersfield Town this weekend. Yaya Toure is unlikely to feature in the game, but he is confident of helping City whenever possible.

Yaya Toure Disappointed with the Lack of Any First-Team Football

Yaya Toure has been going through a troubled a spell at Manchester City this season.


The midfielder has not featured in any match this season. It is a major surprise considering that manager Pep Guardiola decided to offer him a new contract towards the end of the campaign after having seen him perform admirably towards the end of the 2016-17 campaign. The 34-year-old was linked with a move to several new leagues like the Chinese Super League. Yet, he ended up staying at Manchester City but it seems to be the wrong decision from the Ivory Coast star.

Pep Guardiola Wants to Win in Style, Says Yaya Toure

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was criticised in various quarters for being unable to win a major honour in his first season in English football.


He was seen as being too stubborn with his tactics and the rotation system, as they were seen as the vital parts that led down the club in the 2016-17 campaign.City ended without a trophy and Guardiola also faced the same disappointment for the first time in his career. However, midfielder Yaya Toure says that the manager is very keen on winning with an attractive style. The Ivory Coast international says that Guardiola wants to repeat his achievements at Barcelona.

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