Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure reveals Arsenal discontent

Yaya Toure has revealed that he is unlikely to join Arsenal in the near future.

Yaya, brother of current Gunner and Cote d’Ivoire star Kolo, had looked set to follow his sibling to Highbury earlier in his career.

He trained with the Gunners in 2002, but Arsene Wenger decided against signing him .

He was asked what teams in England excite him and he replied: “I love Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

And as for Arsenal he said “Arsenal, I love their game, but I am not such an enthusiast.

“I had a trial there, but it didn’t work and experience wise that was a failure.”

At the time reports suggested that there were problems with Toure receiving a work permit, but he thinks he would have signed if Wenger had wanted him.

“I believe there were means to keep me, I think they didn’t believe in me,” he added.

Despite admitting his desire for England’s other big clubs - Toure also admitted that he would rather move to Spain because it is closest to the football he was raised on at the ASEC academy in Abidjan.

Toure is currently with Olympiakos in Greece, who he joined in 2005 from Metalurg Donetsk after spending two-and-a-half years in Ukraine.

The 22-year-old, compared to Patrick Vieira for both a similar playing style and stature, insists he is happy with life in Greece.

Toure, who will feature alongside Didier Zokora at the heart of Ivory Coast’s midfield at the forthcoming World Cup finals, cannot wait to play in Germany.

He said of the World cup, “It is a magnificent tournament, but you know it will be very difficult to succeed and get big results.”