Future Perfect

There’s nothing more reassuring than to see your top players committing themselves to the club by signing lengthy contracts. So hot on the heels of Spanish teenager Cesc Fabregas’ terrific eight year deal, Arsenal fans will be delighted to learn that Kolo Toure is also in it for the long haul.

And it’s likely to get even better, because the 25 year old Ivory Coast international, who joined the Gunners in February 2002 from ASEC Abidjan and has become a key member of the back four, is already talking in terms of seeing out his career at Arsenal.