Gervinho aims to up his game

Gervinho claims he is trying to model himself on former fans favourite Robert Pires as he attempts to make a real impact at Arsenal.

The Ivory Coast international wasn't always at his best for the club during his debut season but he has vowed to become the £11 million signing Arsene Wenger paid for him. The winger is confident he can up his game this term following his first 12 months at the Emirates Stadium, and emerge a key player in the same way Pires progressed. He told Arsenal Player: "You should always look at these examples from the past. 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, who signed from Lille in an £11million deal last summer, showed glimpses of his best form against Sunderland last weekend as he played in a three-man attack, with Theo Walcott on the opposite flank supporting Lucas Podolksi. The 25-year-old added: "I hope to push on personally, also to progress with the team and to showcase my qualities. "I really feel that I've come on a lot, I feel really good in training and I'm ready for my second season."