IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU MRS. TOURE! by Scott Stephens January 12, 2004

As a matchday seller of Arsenal Fanzines The Gooner and Highbury High, you get to meet all the stars! Well not exactly, but Trevor Brooking is a regular customer of mine, as is 'Gus' from EastEnders. Not to mention the time when a sidelined Pascal Cygan bought a copy of 'The Gooner' from me at the beginning of last year. Along with his £2 he kindly gave me a spare ticket which I happily gave away to the Supporter's Club and which later transpired to have given a 7 year old his first chance to see a game at Highbury. Nice one Pascal!

However, nothing could quite prepare me for the day when I was approached by a very colourful and outrageous character, later revealed to be none other than Mrs. Kolo Toure!

Much like many other Arsenal fan, I strongly believe that Kolo Toure has been an absolutely amazing find. After playing a very bit-part role for the Gunners last season, I like many other Arsenal fans were not entirely sure of his potential or even what position he was most comfortable in! I was somewhat surprised when prior to Arsenal's two-nil home win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champion's League last season, Matias Sammer, stated that Toure had been on the wish list of many European managers in the summer.

However, this season he has been a defensive rock and an attacking dynamo; his recent goal against Leeds in the F.A Cup providing the icing on the cake of an amazing first half of the season for the 22 year old. Ten games into the season and Toure was fast becoming one of the first names on Monsieur Wenger's teamsheet and the talk of the North Bank. A very early tip for player of the season, Toure was setting the premiership alight; playing with a smile on his face and looking bitterly upset when things didn't go his way. He was very close indeed to reaching hero status with me!

Saturday the eighth of November; the big one (albeit not so big anymore!). Spurs at home and I had about twenty minutes more selling time before I could down tools (well, fanzines!) and take my seat in the lower West Stand. As any fanzine seller would know, the last twenty minutes before kick off are pretty frantic, as hoards spill out of the surrounding pubs and people in a rush wave £5 notes at you! The North London derby was a rather slower day though and I expected many to have entered the ground slightly earlier than usual. I continue to shout 'Get ya' Gooner, you're latest issue' at which point a trolley suitcase parks at my feet. I'll have the one with Kolo on the front asks an attractive, very colourful young lady with a distinct French accent. She was referring to the Highbury High, which that month had Toure on the front cover. She frantically raided her bag for her purse, as all manner of objects were tossed aside; mobile phone, make-up bag and hairbrush! 'That's my husband!' she said. 'Who is?' I reply trying to reassuringly stall the other customers who were now queuing behind her! 'Kolo!' she replies excitedly. 'Really?' I exclaim as she shows me her wedding ring; a stunning diamond (Kolo; apparently a real lady's man!) 'Yes. We met in the Ivory Coast, where Kolo is from. We have been married two years now' she tells me as still her face is buried in her bag, still frantically searching for her purse. She pulls out her match ticket which along the let hand side, duly reads, 'Mrs. Kolo Toure.' I'm blown away and by this time feel like buying the fanzine for her myself, at which point she whips out a £2 pound coin. 'Do you like him?' she innocently asks. I think he is absolutely fantastic!' I reply, still quite shocked by the situation in hand. 'Please tell him that he is Arsenal's best player this season and that many people think that!' She thanks me and shoves the fanzine in to her seemingly bottomless bag and heads off towards the Clock End.

I felt as if I had committed my good deed for that day by ensuring that Toure knew that we Arsenal fans think a lot of what he is doing this year and long may it continue. I was paid back for my good deed as we went on to beat our 'friends' from the other end of Seven Sister's Road 2-1 and Toure played a blinder!