Arsenal’s Gervinho has taken a lot of flak of late, and now Gunners fans are even celebrating that he could miss several months.
If any player took more criticism than others in the wake of the defeat to Bradford City, it was Gervinho who missed a point blank open goal in the first half.
Arsene Wenger today announced the player will likely be handed an ‘extended rest’ after he goes to the African Nations Cup.
Last season after a bright start, when he returned from the competition he looked unfit, and Wenger is keen to avoid a repeat.
The boss said: “(Last year) He came back with a disappointing result and we didn’t give him any rest. Maybe we have to do it a little bit differently when he comes back.”
The comments have got Arsenal fans both breathing a sigh of relief considering the Ivorian’s poor form, and speculating as to whether it means the Gunners will go in for a winger in January.
Here is a selection of comments from Twitter reacting to the news.
@thehighburyking: Arsene Wenger says he will give Gervinho more rest after the African Cup of Nations, surely we are bringing in a winger?
@goonerspage: We have to be the only team that is happy with players going toAFCON,Gervinho will be called up for Ivory Coast next month; get in!!
@tobywaller90: Wenger would like to give Gervinho an extended rest after the African Cup Of Nations…hopefully that means him never playing again! #AFC
@salahdigineous: We need 2 bounce back now…gervinho on his way 2 #afcon..am very very happy i hope he get injured there #flop
@arianazevedo: He can stay recovering for the rest of the season :):):):) RT “@Arsenal: Arsene Wenger may give Gervinho more time to recover
@ughlisha: gervinho got 34 days till afcon lol imagine a worse gervinho afterafcon…… please don’t come back ever
@dan_j_farrell: ‘Wenger may give Gervinho more time to recover’ – How about….. Forever?
@aayteee: so according to the club’s website,wenger will give gervinho more time to recover after the #AFCON….give him a year even then sell him
@bra_yiadom: A worse Gervinho after AFCON. That would end me.
@piersmorgan: Try ten years > RT @Arsenal: Wenger may give Gervinho more time to recover after his next trip to the #AfricaCupOfNations:
We did manage to find one well-wishing Tweet…
@zegooner: i hope ivory coast win the afcon and gervinho has a good tournament
Are fans right to be pleased at Wengers’ comments?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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