“It was a cracking goal against Mali. They were the better side but he made the difference. They scored only one goal, Gervinho made it and you can basically say he scored it on his own because he started on the halfway line and finished in a cool way. Sometimes he rushes his decisions a little bit but I was very happy that he kept calm and finished in a very controlled way. He creates those dangerous situations but the coolness he misses a little bit. That can help him to do that. I feel he proved that with us. Also, who doesn’t want to be a hero in his own country? That will help him to be recognised in his own country and therefore boost his confidence levels.” – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal fans who have seen Gervinho’s cracking goal for the Ivory Coast against Mali will have wondered if this is the same player that has spurned numerous opportunities during his first season in English football.

Some Gooners have compared the curled finish to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry at his best and the Ivory Coast winner in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday suggests Gervinho can finish like a top class striker.

Gervinho put in a typically energetic shift in for the Ivory Coast and was involved in many of their attacking moves, if the Ivory Coast can beat Zambia on Sunday, he will likely return to Arsenal full of confidence.

Individual highlights of Gervinho’s performance v Mali are on this video.

Related video link: All 10 passes for Arsenal’s second goal v Blackburn.