Gervinho

Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi, nicknamed Gervinho, was born in the Anyama suburb of Ivory Coast capital Abidjan, on the 27th May 1987. He is a product of the famed ASEC Abidjan youth academy, with other notable players including Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou.

In 2005, Gervinho left Africa and moved to Belgian side Beveren. He stayed in Belgium for two years before moving to French club Le Mans in 2007.  He played 61 times and scored 14 goals.

The Ivorian was signed by Rudi Garcia, who has become a key figure in his career. In his debut season (2007-2008), he helped Le Mans to a ninth place finish, contributing two goals and five assists. The 2008-2009 season saw a marked improvement in Gervinho's game; he scored seven goals in 33 appearances and weighed in with three assists, proving vital in keeping the club up (they finished 16th, just three points above relegated Caen). 

After making 59 appearances for the club, he moved to Lille for a reported €6million. Again signed by Rudi Garcia, Gervinho exceled at Lille. In his debut 2009-2010 season he scored 13 goals in 25 appearances, helping the club finish fourth. The 2010-2011 season proved to be his most fruitful, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, with 15 of those coming in the league. This helped Lille win their first Ligue 1 title in 56 years.  

He also won the Coupe de France that season. Following Lille's successful season, he was a target for a whole host of European clubs, but he opted for Arsenal and moved to the club in a £10.8million move.

His Arsenal debut ended terribly after he was sent off for slapping Joey Barton. He also managed to score four league goals and create six goals for his teammates, helping Arsenal to a third place finish. The 2012-2013 season saw Gervinho's role marginalised; in the league he started just 12 games, but did make a further six appearances from the bench. However, he still managed to score five goals that season, helping Arsenal finish fourth. 

By the end of the season, Gervinho's position at the club was untenable; the Emirates faithful were not overly fond of him and Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had emerged as the starting wingers.

In the summer of 2013, Rudi Garcia, now of Roma, came in for Gervinho for a third time. After agreeing a £7million deal with Arsenal, Gervinho was officially announced as a Roma player. He is now excelling at the club, becoming a firm fans' favourite after just a few short months. 

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