Arsenal winger Gervinho says he will look to the example of club legend Robert Pires as he bids to improve on his debut season in England.
The Ivory Coast international was part of a three-man frontline, with Theo Walcott on the opposite flank supporting new signing Lukas Podolski for the Gunners opening match against Sunderland.
Whether or not Wenger will tinker with the formation for the upcoming trip to Stoke, which is set to throw up a whole new set of challenges, remains to be seen.
Gervinho, though, has every confidence he can build on his debut campaign in England with a strong showing this time around - just like Pires.
"You should always look at these examples from the past," Gervinho told Arsenal Player. "Robert is a fantastic player, very experienced, and I saw this for myself [when Pires was] training here.
"I really hope to emulate Robert Pires in my second season, hopefully do even better, but I hope to carve out my own niche of course."
Gervinho, signed from Lille in an £11million deal last summer, added: "I hope to push on personally, also to progress with the team and to showcase my qualities.
"I have learnt lots of things, coming to a new club, being new to the Premier League. I have learnt to adapt on the pitch and, when I think back, also in front of goal.
"I really feel that I've come on a lot, I feel really good in training and I'm ready for my second season."
The 25-year-old accepts he must be able to provide more to the side than just sheer pace down the flanks.
"I may have to change the way I play, mix up my game a bit," he said. "I will have to give even more and raise the bar even higher after my first season here.
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"I have got lots of confidence in my own ability and I know I have got to keep up my standards. I will relish the challenge and I really want to show the club and the fans [what I can do] this year."
