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Toure "scared" before Hull loss

30/09/2008

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has admitted to being "scared" before playing in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Hull City at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners lost for only the second time at their new home as a stunning long-range strike from Geovanni and a debut goal from the head of striker Daniel Cousin cancelled out Paul McShane's own goal early in the second half.

And Toure, who played the full 90 minutes at the heart of Arsenal's defence, admitted he was "scared to play the game."

"Sometimes people, not the players, play the game before it's started and that's a problem because there are no small teams in the Premier League," the Ivory Coast international explained.

"Against Manchester United everybody thinks it's going to be a tight game but when you play against Hull it's harder because you are expected to win and score in the first minute.

"But it doesn't happen like that. I was scared against Hull because there are no easy games."

However, Toure has rubbished criticism from some sections of the home supporters that the players seemed to lack the desire to win the match from the outset.

"We are professional players and when we go out we want to play well and win," he added.