Toure: Anfield lessons need to be learned
-
Kolo Toure insists Arsenal will use the memory of their Anfield horror show as 'big motivation' to secure qualification for the Champions League next season.
The Gunners were taken apart 4-1 by Liverpool on Saturday as Peter Crouch netted a hat-trick to help lift the Reds back up to third in the Barclays Premiership table.
Although they have a five-point lead on Bolton and also a game in hand on the sides around them, manager Arsene Wenger felt there was an element of complacency surrounding their position.
Arsenal are out of both the FA Cup and Europe and it would seem there is little left for his side to play for now other than their own pride.
Defender Toure has called on the squad to close ranks and ensure there is a positive end to a campaign which had at one stage promised so much.
'We lost, but it is definitely a big motivation for the players to finish in third place,' Toure said.
'We are professional and we need to stay motivated because we are a big club and every game is important for us.'
Toure told the club's official website: 'We need to be really strong all over the pitch. When we win, we win together and when we fail we fail together.
'We had beaten Liverpool three times this season - but we did not have the response when they went ahead.'
Wenger admitted both his centre-halves had just not been able to cope with the sheer presence of 6ft 7in England striker Crouch.
Ivory Coast defender Toure said: 'Crouch is good in the air, he has good technique and he deserved the three goals.
'He made it very difficult for us at the back. He can head the ball, he can pass the ball - he is a clever player.'
Felt pity for him during the pool's match. was RAPE by crouch. tsktsk.
And talk is cheap. I hope Arsenal will pull up their socks ASAP. -
It is always good to learn from your mistakes....
-
