Ex-Arsenal player thinks he should have been played more

Former Arsenal forward Gervinho has criticised manager Arsene Wenger for damaging his confidence during his two year spell at the club. The Ivory Coast international <moved to Italian side Roma in the summer and has hit out at Wenger for not believing in him. Gervinho told Sports Illustrated that the manager is the fundamental difference between life in Rome and London, claiming that he learnt little at Arsenal.

“The fundamental difference between Roma and Arsenal is the coach,” he opened.

“[Rudi] Garcia here gives me confidence, I know that he believes in me.”

“When I wake up in the morning, I really like going to work: I cannot wait to train and be with my coach and my team-mates.”

“In Italy the people are great. Rome is wonderful and the passion for football is strong, but a lot of these qualities were also in England. What I learned at Arsenal? Honestly, not so much, because you cannot learn a lot if you’re on the bench.”

“I left England because I was not playing. I would almost always be among the reserves and that was the worst thing for me and for my confidence.”

Gervinho has already equalled his league goal tally from last season (5) and has created almost twice as many chances (29 to 15)