Gervinho whose real name is Gervais Yao Kouassi is a 24-year-old Ivoirian Footballer (born 27 May 1987) who plays his football for The English North London Club Arsenal F.C. He has also represented his national team Cote D’Ivoire or Ivory Coast on the international level.
Gervinho started his football at the football club Beveren who he signed for in 2005. He made 61 appearances for the club scoring 14 times before moving to French club Le Mans.
Gervinho is a forward but usually plays on the wings. He made 59 times and scored 9 goals for Le Mans the two years he was there then moving to French football club Lille.
It is at Lille where Gervinho came to prominence scoring 28 goals in 67 matches and helping The French side complete a historic double in the 2010/2011 season. He was the only player in the French league in the 10/11 season to have reached double figures for both goals scored and assists made.
Gervinho’s strengths lie in his pace and dribbling skills and clinical finishing which make him a great player to have on the wings. He’s often criticized for disappearing in and out of games but when he does pop up he makes it count with his clinical finishing.
In July 2011 after his amazing season at Lille, he caught the eye of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who signed him from Lille to Arsenal for a deal reported to be worth around 12 million pounds. He has also represented the Ivory Coast and is their first choice winger.
Appearances:
■ 61 matches for Beveren football club and 14 goals
■ 59 matches for Le Mans and 9 goals
■ 67 matches for Lille football club and 28 goals
■ Yet to play for Arsenal football club
■ 27 matches for Ivory Coast and 6 goals
