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Gervinho could very well be one of the most important players in the upcoming campaign.  While everyone is still enthralled with our new signings of Podolski, Giroud and [nearly signed] Cazorla, not many have been talking about how Gervinho will help Arsenal in the coming season.  Now that we’ve seen what he’s capable of, Gooners around the world are hoping for more.  Hoping that he can produce in the future.

1. The African Cup of Nations:  In case you didn’t hear, the Ivory Coast made it to the final of the ACN.  The match went to a penalty shoot-out which came down to the ninth kick; Gervinho had the opportunity to become the national team hero.  He had the chance to take the torch from Drogba with one kick.  He didn’t convert the penalty and Zambia were thrust on the top of African football for the first time in their history.  Forehead made the team of the tournament, but Ivory Coast didn’t take the title.  This was the team’s goal, knowing it would likely be Drogba’s final tournament at the senior level with the team.  Missing that penalty made Gervinho visibly distressed under pressure, but has since relaxed again.  They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and for Gervinho, that miss has only made him better as a footballer.
2. Pace: There’s no secret that Gervinho can just fly.  He can dribble at high speeds, too.  What is even better is that he can make proper runs and doesn’t just run in straight lines, like most speed demons in football.  Now that he’s had a season (minus a month or so for ACN) to adapt to the Premier League, I think he knows what he’s doing in matches now.  He has really figured out his role at Arsenal and we started to see it in the end of the season.  He has the ability to beat so many of the PL’s defenders at will and I think that his pace works well in any system; 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, and 4-4-2 all have wide players that use their pace to create chances in the middle.  That’s what Gervinho does best: draws defenders and creates opportunities.