Gervinho hoping to emulate Pires

Arsenal forward Gervinho wants to have a similar impact on the club as Robert Pires, and hopes he can even do better than the Frenchman.

Pires spent six years in north London, helping the Gunners claim two Premier League titles and three FA Cup wins, as well as reach the final of the Champions League in 2006, where they lost to Barcelona.

Gervinho said he draws inspiration from the Frenchman and is hoping he can use that to improve his form in his second season with the Gunners.

“Robert is a fantastic player, very experienced, and I saw this for myself (when he was) training here,” he told Arsenal Player.

“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.

“I hope to push on personally, also to progress with the team and to showcase my qualities. I’ve learnt lots of things, coming to a new club, being new to the Premier League. I’ve learnt to adapt on the pitch and, when I think back, also in front of goal.

“I really feel that I’ve come on a lot, I feel really good in training and I’m ready for my second season.”

The Ivory Coast international managed just four goals for Arsenal last term and says he must improve, particularly now competition for places is fierce following the arrivals of Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

“I’ll have to give even more and raise the bar even higher after my first season here,” he said.

“I’m up for the challenge, I’ve got lots of confidence in my own ability and I know I’ve got to keep up my standards.

“I may have to change the way I play, mix up my game a bit, but as I said, I’ve learnt and can take a lot from my first season. I’ll relish the challenge and I really want to show the club and the fans this year.”