Yaya Toure was told he wouldn’t be able to emulate the success of French midfield general Patrick Vieira during his time on trial at Arsenal more than a decade ago.
The Ivory Coast international came close to joining the Gunners but
passport problems put an end to his hopes of joining brother Kolo at the
North London club.
Toure finally made the switch to the Premier League from Barcelona in
2010 and has proved himself to be one of the best central midfielders
in the world at Manchester City.
The 30-year-old who has bagged himself 17 Premier League goals this
season has revealed exactly what Arsene Wenger said to him during his
trial, the Express reports.
"He asked me, 'Which position do you want to play?' I said 'Midfielder,’” he told the official City YouTube channel.
"He said, "Why? When I saw you training, for me, you looked more like a striker.'
"I said, 'That's why you always put me up front, move me, I want to
play in midfield like Patrick (Vieira). I said 'I can play like Patrick,
I can be better than Patrick' and he said 'No, no, it's impossible."
Toure will hope to continue his goalscoring form when City host
Southampton on Saturday hoping to move within a point of Liverpool at
the top of the table with three points at the Etihad.
