Gervinho
Encyclopedia
Gervais Yao Kouassi more commonly known as Gervinho, is an Ivorian
footballer who plays as a forward
or as a winger for English Premier League club Arsenal
.
. He began his career in the famed ASEC Abidjan youth academy, where he spent five years. At ASEC Abidjian, he was given the Brazilian style nickname "Gervinho", derived from his first name Gervais.
Following this, he moved to Ivorian Deuxieme Division Zone Four side Toumodi F.C.
, where he turned professional.
side Le Mans
, where he played alongside Ivorian international midfielder Romaric. He scored two goals in his debut season in Ligue 1, with one of them coming against AS Nancy
. Gervinho scored 9 times in 59 Ligue 1 appearances over 2 seasons with the French side.
for a reported fee of about €6 million (8.5 million USD) on a three year contract. Gervinho scored 13 times in 32 appearances in his debut season for the club. His first goal for Lille came in a 3-2 victory away to US Boulogne
on 4 October 2009.
Gervinho had an even more successful second season with Lille. He scored 18 goals in all competitions, 15 in Ligue 1, to help Lille win the Ligue 1 for the first time in 56 years. His side were also crowned Coupe de France
champions, with Gervinho scoring a goal in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Nice
on 20 April. At the end of the season, Gervinho was linked with clubs like Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain, Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United.
for a fee believed to be around £10.8 million. He made his debut in a pre-season friendly match against 1. FC Köln
, in which he scored a brace within the first 15 minutes. He was sent off on his Premier League debut against Newcastle United for slapping Joey Barton
. The game finished 0–0. This resulted in a standard three-match ban for violent conduct. Alan Pardew
(manager of Newcastle United) accused Gervinho of diving when Cheick Tioté challenge inside the box. He scored his first league goal in a 4–3 loss to Blackburn Rovers. On 23 October 2011 Gervinho followed this up by contributing to all three goals in Arsenal's 3–1 win over Stoke City, scoring the first and assisting both of Robin van Persie's
goals.
He was named in the Ivorian senior squad for the first time for the friendlies against Angola
and Qatar
in November 2007, and was picked for the Ivorian squad for their 2008 African Cup of Nations
campaign in Ghana
where he was given the number 10 shirt. He made his competitive debut for the Ivorian club during the 2008 Nations Cup where he made two substitute appearances.
He represented his country at the 2008 Olympic tournament where he was captain. After Côte d'Ivoire lost to Argentina
in the first match, Gervinho scored one goal and set up two others in a 3–2 victory over Serbia
.
On 15 January 2010, Gervinho scored his third international goal in the African Nations Cup group stage game against Ghana. He made a total of three appearances in the tournament, scoring once.
Gervinho made only three appearances, all as a substitute, in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup but still scored twice. On 15 June 2010, he played his first match in a World Cup. He played 82 minutes in Côte d'Ivoire's opening match in Group G against Portugal
, which ended 0–0. In total he made three appearances in the World Cup.
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
footballer who plays as a forward
or as a winger for English Premier League club Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
Youth career
Gervinho was born in AnyamaÁnyama
Anyama is a suburb of the Côte d'Ivoire capital of Abidjan, lying around 20 km north of the city. It has its own football club, the Rio Sport d'Anyama, and a population of roughly 100,000. Ivory coast football internationals Gervinho and Arouna Koné were born in Anyama....
. He began his career in the famed ASEC Abidjan youth academy, where he spent five years. At ASEC Abidjian, he was given the Brazilian style nickname "Gervinho", derived from his first name Gervais.
Following this, he moved to Ivorian Deuxieme Division Zone Four side Toumodi F.C.
Toumodi F.C.
Toumodi F.C. is an Ivorian football club, which is based in Bassam. The club plays in Zone 4 of the Ivory Coast Deuxieme Division, and is part of the Côte d'Ivoire Premier Division.-History:...
, where he turned professional.
Beveren
Gervinho played for two seasons at Belgian side Beveren, where he made 61 appearances for the club and scored 14 goals.Le Mans
At the end of the 2006–07 season Gervinho moved to French Ligue 1Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
side Le Mans
Le Mans UC72
Le Mans Football Club is a French association football club based in Le Mans. The club was founded in 1985 as a result of a merger under the name Le Mans Union Club 72. In 2010, Le Mans changed its name to Le Mans FC to coincide with the re-modeling of the club, which includes moving into a new...
, where he played alongside Ivorian international midfielder Romaric. He scored two goals in his debut season in Ligue 1, with one of them coming against AS Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
. Gervinho scored 9 times in 59 Ligue 1 appearances over 2 seasons with the French side.
Lille
On 21 July 2009, Gervinho joined LilleLille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
for a reported fee of about €6 million (8.5 million USD) on a three year contract. Gervinho scored 13 times in 32 appearances in his debut season for the club. His first goal for Lille came in a 3-2 victory away to US Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
on 4 October 2009.
Gervinho had an even more successful second season with Lille. He scored 18 goals in all competitions, 15 in Ligue 1, to help Lille win the Ligue 1 for the first time in 56 years. His side were also crowned Coupe de France
2011 Coupe de France Final
The 2011 Coupe de France Final was the 93rd final of France's most prestigious football cup competition. The final took place on 14 May 2011 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and was contested between Paris Saint-Germain and Lille...
champions, with Gervinho scoring a goal in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
on 20 April. At the end of the season, Gervinho was linked with clubs like Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain, Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United.
Arsenal
On 12 July 2011 Gervinho completed a transfer from Lille to ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
for a fee believed to be around £10.8 million. He made his debut in a pre-season friendly match against 1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln is a German association football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed in 1948 as a merger of the clubs Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07....
, in which he scored a brace within the first 15 minutes. He was sent off on his Premier League debut against Newcastle United for slapping Joey Barton
Joey Barton
Joseph Anthony "Joey" Barton is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League side Queens Park Rangers as either a central midfielder or a winger....
. The game finished 0–0. This resulted in a standard three-match ban for violent conduct. Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew
Alan Scott Pardew is an English football manager and former player, currently the manager of Newcastle United....
(manager of Newcastle United) accused Gervinho of diving when Cheick Tioté challenge inside the box. He scored his first league goal in a 4–3 loss to Blackburn Rovers. On 23 October 2011 Gervinho followed this up by contributing to all three goals in Arsenal's 3–1 win over Stoke City, scoring the first and assisting both of Robin van Persie's
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011...
goals.
International career
Gervinho captained Côte d'Ivoire at U21 level.He was named in the Ivorian senior squad for the first time for the friendlies against Angola
Angola national football team
The Angola national football team, nicknamed Palancas Negras , is the national team of Angola and is controlled by the Federação Angolana de Futebol. Angola reached 45th in the FIFA Rankings in July 2002...
and Qatar
Qatar national football team
The Qatar national football team is the national team of Qatar and is controlled by the Qatar Football Association. They have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup but are hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The team has also appeared in seven AFC Asian Cup tournaments and hosted the 2011 AFC Asian...
in November 2007, and was picked for the Ivorian squad for their 2008 African Cup of Nations
2008 African Cup of Nations
The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the MTN Africa Cup of Nations due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated to the Confederation of African Football . The tournament was staged at...
campaign in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
where he was given the number 10 shirt. He made his competitive debut for the Ivorian club during the 2008 Nations Cup where he made two substitute appearances.
He represented his country at the 2008 Olympic tournament where he was captain. After Côte d'Ivoire lost to Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in the first match, Gervinho scored one goal and set up two others in a 3–2 victory over Serbia
Serbia national football team
The Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
.
On 15 January 2010, Gervinho scored his third international goal in the African Nations Cup group stage game against Ghana. He made a total of three appearances in the tournament, scoring once.
Gervinho made only three appearances, all as a substitute, in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup but still scored twice. On 15 June 2010, he played his first match in a World Cup. He played 82 minutes in Côte d'Ivoire's opening match in Group G against Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, which ended 0–0. In total he made three appearances in the World Cup.
International goals
| Gervinho – goals for Côte d'Ivoire | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 14 November 2009 | Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, nicknamed "le Félicia", is a multi-purpose stadium, which can host football, rugby and athletics, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. It is the national stadium of the Côte d'Ivoire national football team. It is named after the first president of the country, Félix... , Abidjan Abidjan Abidjan is the economic and former official capital of Côte d'Ivoire, while the current capital is Yamoussoukro. it was the largest city in the nation and the third-largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris, and Kinshasa but before Montreal... |
1–0 | 3–0 | 2010 World Cup qualifying | |
| 2 | 2–0 | |||||
| 3 | 15 January 2010 | Estádio Chimandela Estádio Chimandela Estádio Nacional do Chiazi is a multi-use stadium in Cabinda, Angola. Completed in 2010, it is used mostly for football matches and is expected to host some events for the 2010 African Cup of Nations. The stadium has capacity of 25,000 people.-External links:... , Cabinda Cabinda Cabinda may refer to:*Cabinda Province, an exclave and Province of Angola*Cabinda , the administrative capital of Cabinda Province*Republic of Cabinda, self-proclaimed government which claims sovereignty over Cabinda... |
1–0 | 3–1 | 2010 Africa Cup of Nations | |
| 4 | 17 November 2010 | Stadion Miejski, Poznań Poznan Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be... |
1–1 | 1–3 | Friendly | |
| 5 | 5 June 2011 | Stade de l'Amitie Stade de l'Amitié Stade de l'Amitie or Friendship Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Cotonou, Benin. It is currently used for football matches and also has facilities for athletics. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 people.-External links:* at... , Cotonou Cotonou -Demographics:*1979: 320,348 *1992: 536,827 *2002: 665,100 *2005: 690,584 The main languages spoken in Cotonou include the Fon language, Aja language, Yoruba language and French.-Transport:... |
3–0 | 6–2 | 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | |
| 6 | 5–2 | |||||
| 7 | 3 September 2011 | Stade Amahoro Stade Amahoro Amahoro Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kigali City, Rwanda. It is the largest stadium in Rwanda and hosts football matches, concerts, and public events.-History:... , Kigali Kigali Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of... |
|
|
2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
Club
- Statistics accurate as of 23 November 2011
Club Season League Cup Europe Total Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Le Mans 2007–08 26 2 5 4 4 0 0 0 0 30 6 5 2008–09 33 7 3 4 1 0 0 0 0 37 8 3 Total 59 9 8 8 5 0 0 0 0 67 14 8 Lille Lille OSCLOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...2009–10 2009–10 Ligue 1The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...32 13 4 0 0 0 8 5 0 40 18 5 2010–11 2010–11 Ligue 1The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011...35 15 10 8 3 0 10 0 0 53 15 10 Total 67 28 14 8 3 0 18 5 0 93 33 15 Arsenal Arsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...2011–12 2011–12 Premier LeagueThe 2011–12 Premier League is the twentieth season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2011–12 fixtures were announced on 17 June 2011 at 9:00 BST. The season began on 13 August 2011 and is due to end on 13 May 2012...10 2 5 0 0 0 6 0 2 16 2 7 Total 10 2 5 0 0 0 6 0 2 16 2 7 Career total 136 39 27 16 8 0 24 5 2 176 79 30
Style of play
Gervinho often starts out from either sides of the wings, more often on the left, and takes a more attacking role than a typical midfielder, and not quite as a general attacker. He is considered a very direct player. Gervinho possesses decent dribbling skills which, coupled with short burst of acceleration, meant he could get past opposing defenders sometimes and trying to cut into the penalty area to get shots at goal or killer balls to a striking partner. In a 4-4-2 formation, Gervinho can take on a little more central role, but he has been utilised on either sides of the wings in 4-3-3 formations at both his previous and current club. However, Gervinho is favoured on the wing because of his speed and because his finishing is not as good as other strikers in the team.Club
Lille- Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 2010–112010–11 Ligue 1The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011... - Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
: 20112011 Coupe de France FinalThe 2011 Coupe de France Final was the 93rd final of France's most prestigious football cup competition. The final took place on 14 May 2011 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and was contested between Paris Saint-Germain and Lille...