Toure impresses Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes new signing Habib Kolo Toure, the 20-year-old Ivory Coast defender, could break into the first-team squad by the end of the season.

And Ivory Coast coach Bamba Lama has no doubts the player will do well in England.

He said: "He has everything to succeed in the Premiership."

After impressing in a couple of reserve games, Toure signed last night for an undisclosed fee from Ivory Coast side Asec Mimosas.

But, despite Arsenal's injury problems - Sol Campbell is hoping to recover from a hamstring problem - for their FA Cup fifth round tie against Gillingham at Highbury tomorrow, Wenger said: "He won't go into the firstteam squad immediately because he'll need at least three to four months' work. But he could feature before the end of the season."

Arsenal v Gillingham
3pm, tomorrow, Highbury

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