Gervinho can look back at his first season in English football with some satisfaction, after a successful adaption to life in the Premier League.
But his Arsenal career started off in more difficult circumstances following a controversial red card on his debut at Newcastle. Despite that disappointment, the Ivorian made a bright opening to the campaign and scored his first goal for the Club in the 4-3 defeat to Blackburn in September.
A series of encouraging displays followed, with the forward registering against Stoke, Wigan and Wolves before he departed to the Africa Cup of Nations in the New Year. Unfortunately for Gervinho, the tournament ended in heartbreak as he missed the crucial spot kick during a penalty shoot-out in the final.
After returning to Arsenal, he was eased back into the first-team picture and played his part as the Gunners secured third place.
Gervinho started his career at the famed ASEC Abidjan academy in the Ivory Coast, before moving to Belgium to spend two seasons at Beveren. The forward's rapid rise continued with a move to France, firstly with Le Mans and then Lille, where he won the Ligue 1 title in his second season with the club.
That was enough to secure him a move to Arsenal, where he will hope to continue his development into one of the most exciting wingers in the country. |
