Gervinho Reveals All: AFCON Glory, Playing Alongside Totti, and His Memorable Years at Arsenal Under Wenger
Gervinho's partnership with Garcia was a defining aspect of his career, and their collaboration yielded impressive results. At Lille, they formed a formidable team, winning the Ligue 1 title in 2011, with Gervinho scoring 15 goals and providing 10 assists in the process. This success caught the attention of top European clubs, and soon Gervinho found himself at Arsenal, playing in the Premier League. Although his time in London was marked by inconsistency, he still managed to score important goals, including a memorable strike against Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite the ups and downs of his club career, Gervinho's performances for the Ivory Coast remained a constant source of pride. He was a key player in the team's run to the 2014 World Cup, where they narrowly missed out on advancing to the knockout stage. Gervinho's speed, skill, and creativity on the wing made him a nightmare for opposing defenders, and his ability to score crucial goals was invaluable to his team.
As he looks back on his career, Gervinho is grateful for the opportunities he had to play with and against some of the best players in the world. His experiences have shaped him into the person he is today, and he is proud of the legacy he has left on the pitch. With his playing days now behind him, Gervinho can reflect on a career that was marked by both individual and team successes, and he is eager to stay involved in the sport he loves.
The Lille side of the 2010-2011 season is considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular teams in the recent history of Ligue 1. That group, capable of achieving a sensational League and Coupe de France double, danced on the pitch to dizzying rhythms. Much of the credit went to the attacking trident, where Gervinho's driving runs and Moussa Sow's clinical finishing were sparked by the pure talent of a young Belgian destined to enchant the most prestigious stages of European football: Eden Hazard.
Gervinho remembers his time playing with Eden Hazard fondly, stating, "I had so much fun playing with Eden. And I’m convinced he also had a lot of fun playing alongside me, partly because at that time I was producing top-level football." With Moussa Sow, they formed a front three of the highest quality; they linked up wonderfully, playing from memory, causing a lot of damage in France that year with the Cup and League double. They were unstoppable, he recalls.
After France and a two-year stint in England, he arrived in Serie A. Rome is a city that lives on extreme passions, one that either swallows you whole or elevates you to the altar. It took very little time for Gervinho to become an idol of the Curva Sud. His surging runs with the ball, playing as a left winger in the 4-3-3, shattered the tight, tactical Italian defenses, bringing a breath of creative anarchy.
Playing for Roma in those years meant sharing the dressing room with Francesco Totti, the captain. When asked who the greatest teammate he ever played with was, Gervinho has no hesitations. "Ah, absolutely yes. Francesco Totti, the captain. He was simply a formidable player, in a league of his own. I loved playing with him at Roma; our understanding on the pitch was natural. Beyond the champion on the pitch, however, I want to say that Francesco is also a fantastic person," Gervinho says.
When asked for a specific anecdote, Gervinho smiles, as if his memory is flooded with too many fond and lighthearted moments to single just one out. "There are so many great memories that it's really hard to pick just one. What is certain is that I spent wonderful times with him, both on and off the pitch. Together we had fun and we made the Roma fans vibrate, putting on a show." That Roma side, in the mid-2010s, was a powerhouse, boasting players of the caliber of Edin Dzeko, Antonio Rüdiger, Miralem Pjanic, and Radja Nainggolan.
A team that enchanted with its volume of play and results, yet was unable to bring a single piece of silverware to Trigoria, constantly crashing against the wall of the all-conquering Juventus of that decade. Gervinho reflects on this period, "As you said, we had a fantastic team, full of great players. And we showed it on the pitch: we played beautiful football. We achieved excellent results and had important seasons, but unfortunately, we lacked that slice of luck needed to bring home a major title. It’s frustrating, but then again, that’s football."
In Gervinho's rich CV, there is also the London chapter, on the Gunners' side. Arriving at Arsenal in 2011, strongly desired by Arsène Wenger to add unpredictability to the Gunners’ attack, his impact on the Premier League was an emotional rollercoaster. The dominant thought among fans described a player so unpredictable that even he seemed not to know what his next move would be.
Gervinho's confidence on the pitch was evident, as he notes that few defenders could stop him when he was in top form. He attributes this to his consistency, saying he rarely had a bad game. This self-assurance served him well throughout his career, allowing him to make a significant impact at various clubs.
Despite reports of a complicated relationship with Arsène Wenger during his time at Arsenal, Gervinho downplays the notion, stating that they had a professional and respectful relationship. He acknowledges that the spark he had with Rudi Garcia was not replicated with Wenger, but emphasizes that their dynamic was normal and based on mutual respect.
Gervinho was thrilled to see Arsenal win the Premier League title, bringing an end to a long wait for the club. He believes the fans deserved the victory, having shown patience and dedication over the years. The Ivorian winger's love for the sport is still evident, and he is now channeling his energy into giving back to the community.
As he looks to the future of African football, Gervinho is optimistic, citing the talented young players and experienced veterans in the Ivory Coast team. He believes that if they play to their potential, they can surprise many teams in the World Cup. He also notes that African football is progressing rapidly, with national teams achieving good results against top footballing nations and African players featuring prominently in European leagues.
Since retiring from professional football in 2023, Gervinho has remained involved in the sport, owning a club in the Ivorian Third Division and working with the Ivory Coast Under-17 national team. He has also established a player management structure to support young players, demonstrating his commitment to developing the next generation of football talent.
Despite the ups and downs of his club career, Gervinho's performances for the Ivory Coast remained a constant source of pride. He was a key player in the team's run to the 2014 World Cup, where they narrowly missed out on advancing to the knockout stage. Gervinho's speed, skill, and creativity on the wing made him a nightmare for opposing defenders, and his ability to score crucial goals was invaluable to his team.
As he looks back on his career, Gervinho is grateful for the opportunities he had to play with and against some of the best players in the world. His experiences have shaped him into the person he is today, and he is proud of the legacy he has left on the pitch. With his playing days now behind him, Gervinho can reflect on a career that was marked by both individual and team successes, and he is eager to stay involved in the sport he loves.
The Lille side of the 2010-2011 season is considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular teams in the recent history of Ligue 1. That group, capable of achieving a sensational League and Coupe de France double, danced on the pitch to dizzying rhythms. Much of the credit went to the attacking trident, where Gervinho's driving runs and Moussa Sow's clinical finishing were sparked by the pure talent of a young Belgian destined to enchant the most prestigious stages of European football: Eden Hazard.
Gervinho remembers his time playing with Eden Hazard fondly, stating, "I had so much fun playing with Eden. And I’m convinced he also had a lot of fun playing alongside me, partly because at that time I was producing top-level football." With Moussa Sow, they formed a front three of the highest quality; they linked up wonderfully, playing from memory, causing a lot of damage in France that year with the Cup and League double. They were unstoppable, he recalls.
After France and a two-year stint in England, he arrived in Serie A. Rome is a city that lives on extreme passions, one that either swallows you whole or elevates you to the altar. It took very little time for Gervinho to become an idol of the Curva Sud. His surging runs with the ball, playing as a left winger in the 4-3-3, shattered the tight, tactical Italian defenses, bringing a breath of creative anarchy.
Playing for Roma in those years meant sharing the dressing room with Francesco Totti, the captain. When asked who the greatest teammate he ever played with was, Gervinho has no hesitations. "Ah, absolutely yes. Francesco Totti, the captain. He was simply a formidable player, in a league of his own. I loved playing with him at Roma; our understanding on the pitch was natural. Beyond the champion on the pitch, however, I want to say that Francesco is also a fantastic person," Gervinho says.
When asked for a specific anecdote, Gervinho smiles, as if his memory is flooded with too many fond and lighthearted moments to single just one out. "There are so many great memories that it's really hard to pick just one. What is certain is that I spent wonderful times with him, both on and off the pitch. Together we had fun and we made the Roma fans vibrate, putting on a show." That Roma side, in the mid-2010s, was a powerhouse, boasting players of the caliber of Edin Dzeko, Antonio Rüdiger, Miralem Pjanic, and Radja Nainggolan.
A team that enchanted with its volume of play and results, yet was unable to bring a single piece of silverware to Trigoria, constantly crashing against the wall of the all-conquering Juventus of that decade. Gervinho reflects on this period, "As you said, we had a fantastic team, full of great players. And we showed it on the pitch: we played beautiful football. We achieved excellent results and had important seasons, but unfortunately, we lacked that slice of luck needed to bring home a major title. It’s frustrating, but then again, that’s football."
In Gervinho's rich CV, there is also the London chapter, on the Gunners' side. Arriving at Arsenal in 2011, strongly desired by Arsène Wenger to add unpredictability to the Gunners’ attack, his impact on the Premier League was an emotional rollercoaster. The dominant thought among fans described a player so unpredictable that even he seemed not to know what his next move would be.
Gervinho's confidence on the pitch was evident, as he notes that few defenders could stop him when he was in top form. He attributes this to his consistency, saying he rarely had a bad game. This self-assurance served him well throughout his career, allowing him to make a significant impact at various clubs.
Despite reports of a complicated relationship with Arsène Wenger during his time at Arsenal, Gervinho downplays the notion, stating that they had a professional and respectful relationship. He acknowledges that the spark he had with Rudi Garcia was not replicated with Wenger, but emphasizes that their dynamic was normal and based on mutual respect.
Gervinho was thrilled to see Arsenal win the Premier League title, bringing an end to a long wait for the club. He believes the fans deserved the victory, having shown patience and dedication over the years. The Ivorian winger's love for the sport is still evident, and he is now channeling his energy into giving back to the community.
As he looks to the future of African football, Gervinho is optimistic, citing the talented young players and experienced veterans in the Ivory Coast team. He believes that if they play to their potential, they can surprise many teams in the World Cup. He also notes that African football is progressing rapidly, with national teams achieving good results against top footballing nations and African players featuring prominently in European leagues.
Since retiring from professional football in 2023, Gervinho has remained involved in the sport, owning a club in the Ivorian Third Division and working with the Ivory Coast Under-17 national team. He has also established a player management structure to support young players, demonstrating his commitment to developing the next generation of football talent.
News, Football