Kolo Toure Rested As Cote D'Ivoire Fall To Ghana

Kolo Toure may be rushed back from the African Cup of Nations in order to feature for Arsenal against Blackburn on Monday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be missing defender Johan Djourou and may be without Philippe Senderos, leaving the Arsenal squad with only one fit central defender, captain William Gallas.

23 year-old fullback Justin Hoyte or Brazil captain Gilberto Silva have both been used as center-backs for Arsenal, but an inexperienced Hoyte and aging Gilberto would have difficulty chasing down dangerous Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

"I don't know," said Wenger when asked if Toure might feature on Monday. "Ivory Coast play on Saturday afternoon. I have not called him yet but I will try to see if he can take a flight from Accra to London. Otherwise it will be Gilberto, who is back, or Justin Hoyte at centre half."

Toure was a conspicuous absence in the Cote d'Ivoire starting XI as the Elephants fell to Ghana's Black Stars in the 3rd/4th place playoffs of the African Cup of Nations. After having recovered from injury, it seems as though the central defender may have been rested by Cote d'Ivoire manager Gerard Gili.

The Ivorian star's return would be a huge boost to a thinly stretched Arsenal side, and with no midweek games this week, Wenger might just be tempted to risk a fatigued Toure in order to stay at the top of the Premier League.

Kolo Toure Injured In Ivory Coast Match

Arsenal and Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure may have picked up a long term injury on international duty with his country. The center back was stretchered off on the stroke of half time as his country defeated Benin 4-1 in the African Cup of Nations.

Toure set up a goal for his brother, Barcelona's Yaya Toure, in the 44th minute, but was stretchered off holding his groin minutes later. The injury is suspected to be a groin strain, which could keep the defender out for two to three weeks.

With the African Cup of Nations due to end on February 10th, Kolo Toure is unlikely to feature again for the Ivory Coast in this tournament. Due to the nature of his injury, Toure could be out for as long as six or more weeks, making him a major doubt for the Gunners February 11th fixture against Blackburn even in the unlikely situation that his country fails to make it far into the tournament.

More importantly, Toure could miss Arsenal's Champions League knockout stage match against AC Milan at the Emirates on February 20th.

The central defender, one of the most important figures in the Arsenal squad, has already been sorely missed during his Cup of Nations absence. His presence could be one of the key factors in Arsenal's chances of progression to the next round.

Although Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos, and Alex Song to replace Toure at center back, Gunners fans will feel far more secure as soon as their first-choice central defensive pairing is ready to play.

Wenger will be hoping that Toure's injury is not as serious as expected, as the defender's injury could, in part, decide this season's Premier League winners.

Adebayor to stay at Arsenal during ACN

The 2008 African Cup of Nations will last from January 20 until February 10, calling up African players from all over the Premiership. Arsenal looked set to lose Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, and Emmanuel Adebayor for that period of time, and there were some concerns that we would be light both up front and in central defense.

However, the effects of the ACN have been dampened by the fact that Togo has failed to qualify. This means that prolific Arsenal striker Adebayor will be staying with his club. It comes as a blow to Togo (and to Adebayor who I'm sure was looking forward to representing his country in the ACN) but Togo's pain is Arsenal's pleasure, and Adebayor staying is a major lift.

We will still struggle in the center of defense without Kolo Toure, though. The Ivorian defender has been incredibly solid at center back, whether partnered with Philippe Senderos or William Gallas. Even with the return of Johann Djourou, Arsenal will be in some serious trouble if Gallas gets injured (as he has managed to do quite often since his transfer from Chelsea) so I hope that the Micah Richards rumors are true.

We will be playing Newcastle, Manchester City, and Blackburn while the African Cup of Nations is going on, and if we can weather the storm, we have a great chance of winning the title.