Thierry Henry was left writhing in pain because of the antics of an former Liverpool star
Thierry Henry felt the wrath of one former Liverpool star
Thierry Henry felt the wrath of one former Liverpool star(Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
View 3 Images
Ex-Liverpool defender Kolo Toure held no prisoners, including Thierry Henry when trying to earn an Arsenal contract. The Ivorian icon spent seven years of his career in north London after impressing in a trial that saw him clinch a £150,000 transfer in 2002 from ASEC Mimosas.
However, his trial at Highbury could have resulted in all hell breaking loose after his tough-tackling approach, literally, left Henry and Dennis Bergkamp writhing in pain. As if leaving the Gunners' two best players slumped on the grass, the then-21-year-old Toure had his sights set on Arsene Wenger when flying into another challenge.
Speaking in 2017, Toure - who played three years at Anfield - opened about the famous tryout, as he confirmed the rumours about the heavy tackle he planted on his former boss. He told Arsenal Player: "That definitely happened. It was a game and the manager was outside the game. He was not playing but he was passing the ball to the attacking players.
"The ball was going out and Mr Wenger went to get the ball. When he controlled the ball, instead of just stopping the game, I thought he was playing as well. I kept going and it was a big, big tackle. After that, everyone was laughing and joking but I was in shock."
Toure did admit he believes his fervent enthusiasm and passion he displayed in his tackles convinced Wenger to take a chance on him. He added: "I was like, ‘Wow, maybe that will mean I will have to leave the club’. At the end of the day, I think the tackle made him want to keep me.
Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, Sylvain Wiltord, Guillaume Warmuz, Jeremie Aliadiere, Kolo Toure, Pascal Cygan and Thierry Henry of Arsenal with the FA Cup Trophy after the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Southampton on May 17, 200
The Ivorian caused havoc during his trial at Arsenal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
"Maybe he saw my desire as a defender from that. When I arrived at the club, it was a special experience for me because I didn’t expect to have a trial at such a big club. I was really passionate, really enthusiastic.
"For me, to be able to play with players I was seeing on the TV like Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Ray Parlour and Martin Keown, it was something really, really special. It was massive, definitely."
The stunning experience was detailed by Parlour who claimed Wenger had stopped Toure from tackling after taking out Henry and Bergkamp. Parlour previously wrote: "Next ball comes in and Kolo Toure makes a great tackle, reads it, and the ball is flipped up into the air.
Jurgen Klopp and Kolo Toure celebrate
Kolo Toure celebrate spent three years at Liverpool
View 3 Images
"Arsene Wenger used to stand right in the middle of the midfield and forwards and he’d try and look at the movement, so the ball has gone up in the air and Kolo Toure has his eye on the ball - he’s chasing the ball - and where did it land?
"Right at Arsene Wenger’s foot and he’s two-footed Arsene Wenger. Proper tackle. All you heard was ‘ahhhh’. The lads are like ‘This is unbelievable. He’s took out Bergkamp, Henry, and Wenger on his trial. Wenger has had to limp off. He’s gone back to the medical room. Kolo Toure is like ‘Oh no’ and nearly crying. He can’t believe it. It’s his big day at Arsenal and he’s taken out two of our best players and the manager."
Content Image
Content Image
Toure will likely be a keen viewer in Liverpool's trip to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. The reigning Premier League champions have looked out of sorts for much of the season and will be the underdogs in the evening clash against the team who are the favourites to snatch the crown away from Arne Slot's side.