Ray Parlor, former Arsenal player, revealed a remarkable and somewhat unusual story about Kolo Touré’s arrival at the club during an interview with TalkSport on Thursday. Parlor recounted an incident during Touré’s trial period at Arsenal when the Ivorian defender made a series of aggressive tackles during training.
According to Parlor, Touré’s first tackle landed on Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s star player at the time, with such force that it could have warranted a red card in a real match. Moments later, Touré repeated the same aggressive tackle on Dennis Bergkamp, another key player for Arsenal.
Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, was visibly upset by Touré’s reckless challenges and even suffered a minor injury as a result. Despite the incident, Wenger admired Touré’s determination and will to succeed. He acknowledged that while Touré’s tackles were overly aggressive, he appreciated his spirit and determination.
In a humorous exchange, Wenger, nursing his injured ankle, assured Parlor that he believed Touré’s actions were not intentional. Despite the mishap, Wenger decided to offer Touré a contract, impressed by his commitment and potential contribution to the team.
This revelation sheds light on Touré’s early days at Arsenal and highlights the blend of talent, determination, and occasional clumsiness that characterized his career.
Tags: Arsenal, Kolo Touré, Ray Parlor, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Arsène Wenger, training, trial, contract, aggressive tackles, football anecdote
