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Camden Sports - by TOM FOOT
Published: 26 February 2009

Toure defends transfer request

Gunners star vows to repay manager as he reforms partnership with Gallas

KOLO Toure is ready to repay his manager’s faith in restoring him to the first team by forging a cast-iron defensive partnership with William Gallas.
The Ivorian centre-back was dropped earlier in the season and filed a transfer request in January. But Wenger reinstated Toure alongside Gallas, leading to Arsenal keeping six clean sheets in a row.
Toure said: “William and me, we used to play together all the time. I think we only lost four games when we started together. We know each other so well.”
Toure insisted his time on the sidelines had made him come back stronger and that he was not thinking of leaving the club he joined in 2002.
“I don’t want to talk about the transfer request – but let’s say I wanted to start every match,” he said. “I’m quite happy at the moment.”
After the 1-0 Champions League win against Roma on Tuesday, Wenger said his defence had improved dramatically since January and singled out Denilson for special praise.
“Since January, Denilson has become more dominant in his defensive game,” said Wenger. “He is only 20 years old and he has played in every game this season.
“We are not conceding and our unbeaten run is continuing.”
The Gunners boss admitted that he is still concerned by his misfiring forwards. The Frenchman said that the “only positive” from the Roma game was not conceding a goal and admitted Nicklas Bendtner is suffering from a “lack of spontaneous attitude”.
He hinted that Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor may return from injury against Fulham on Saturday, adding: “The goals will come.”

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