Arsenal stars were left worried about the state of their talisman after a rough training ground challenge
The Arsenal team celebrate after winning the shoot-out during the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium
Kolo Toure made an instant impact at Arsenal(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool defender Kolo Toure didn't hold back, even when it came to Thierry Henry during his bid to secure a contract with Arsenal. The Ivorian legend spent seven years in north London after impressing in a trial that led to a £150,000 transfer from ASEC Mimosas in 2002.
However, his trial at Highbury could have caused chaos due to his hard-hitting style, which left Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in discomfort. Not content with leaving two of the Gunners' top players on the turf, the then-21-year-old Toure also targeted Arsene Wenger with another robust challenge.
In 2017, Toure - who had a three-year stint at Anfield - spoke about the famous trial, confirming rumours about the hefty tackle he made on his former manager. Speaking to Arsenal Player, he said: "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 confess he believes his fierce determination and passion shown in his challenges persuaded Wenger to give him an opportunity. He continued: "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.
"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."
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Kolo Toure playing alongside Steven Gerrard
Kolo Toure had quite the impact on his future Arsenal team-mates
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The remarkable incident was recounted by Parlour, who revealed how Wenger had halted Toure's tackling after he'd taken out Henry and Bergkamp. Parlour previously penned: "Next ball comes in and Kolo Toure makes a great tackle, reads it, and the ball is flipped up into the air.
"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.
Kolo Toure celebrating with Mamadou Sakho and Divock Origi
Kolo Toure spent three years of his career at Anfield
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(Image: GETTY )
"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."
Toure will undoubtedly be watching intently when Liverpool make the journey to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. The current Premier League title holders have appeared off the pace for much of the campaign and will enter as underdogs in the night fixture against the side tipped to wrestle the crown from Arne Slot's men.
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