Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
I lived a dream. Any kid who starts playing can't help but to dream to play at a club like Arsenal.
The most important thing for me is to continue to learn, step by step, regardless of club or country.
My frustration is I quit Arsenal too soon. I left a club I loved without really showing how good I was.
Our country craves for the trophy of the African Cup of Nations. I am craving for such a trophy in my career.
It is always difficult to leave your mates and your club in the middle of the season for another competition.
As a child I dreamed of playing for Arsenal, because I loved them. Now I hate them for the way Wenger treated me.
Yes, at times in front of goal a fog descends. Perhaps the speed of my feet doesn't match up with that of my mind.
In Ivory Coast it's very hard to have normal shoes, so just imagine football boots - they were considered a true luxury.
When you are young, you always want to improve, to work with great managers - and Arsene Wenger is one of the best in the world.
In the middle, it gives you lots of options. You can make a run on the right, on the left, deep in the center. It's a big advantage.
I like to relax in the South of France. The weather is so good, the food is so good, and it is perfect because we can all speak French.
Every game is tough for me because the level of competition is so high in the Premier League, and every time you have to be at your best.
I have a lot of respect for Wenger. But a player needs playing time. And a coach has to put his faith in a player if he feels that he needs it.
At the academy the coaches would show us Arsenal games on TV and my idol was Thierry Henry. He inspired me. That's why I became an Arsenal fan.
I didn't lose my smile from the first to the last match at Arsenal. I remember when I left I wanted to thank everyone, even the dressing-room staff.
I have always followed Arsenal in the Premier League. At some points they were really good, but also had some difficulties like a lot of big clubs do.
I can confirm I feel more at home at Roma than elsewhere. I was adopted by the club, the staff and the fans. From the first day I sensed this great atmosphere.
The academy at Abidjan was my school of education. At 16, they sent me the boots and jersey with my name on the back. You can imagine how I felt: in the clouds.
When Arsene Wenger called me to tell me that he would like me to come to his club, I don't think you imagine the satisfaction I felt just after hanging up the phone.
Football really has saved my family and it's true that it saves a lot of families in Africa. It gives us the means to be able to give a better life to our loved ones.
I started playing at my local estate club. I used to wake up every morning to go to play in the club. I loved it so much, it brought a lot of wonderful things in my life.
Many young players tell you that they want to play for Manchester United or Arsenal. My dream was to play for Arsenal and I realised it. When I arrived, I thought: 'Wow, I'm here!'
Drogba has been our great motivator. He never stops reminding us that we are here to win the tournament, no matter the hurdles, no matter the game form and no matter the score margin.
Salah is a tough guy. Always calm and strong, with the mentality of a hard worker. I'll never forget his training sessions: very high rhythm, pushed like a madman, you watched him in amazement.
We try to keep our heads cool and our chins up to win every weekend. Sometimes it works better than others but you have to focus on the positive side so for that next game you still have the right state of mind.
During the holidays, professional players would come and say hello to us in the academy and that really made you want to be a professional. When you saw what great conditions they lived in, it gave you even more desire.
In China you have to be in peak form because you need to do well. You earn a lot - I had a huge salary - but then you have to prove you are worth it. Every match is a challenge and I played next to or faced some truly great players.
I was not getting much time on the pitch and was in need of this time to improve and play my best football. Wenger was not prepared to give it to me. Also my position on the wing was not what I was expecting and I wasn't happy with it.
Back in the days, being able to join the Jean-Marc Guillou academy was one of the best things that could happen to a youngster from Ivory Coast. There were thousands of kids who wanted to join that school so it was a great feeling for me.
I have good memories of my visit to China. It was a beautiful experience for me. I learned a lot of things. I hope Chinese football is still evolving, that they have the chance to sign other players to develop the league. We did our part of the job by bringing what we had to bring to Chinese football.
Didier Drogba has been an inspiration to all of us in the Ivory Coast national team. He is a great motivator for all of us - and some of the talks he gives are like a president trying to motivate his country. It is not just what he does on the field - but also all he does for all of our people off the field.
