Goal.com

The Cote d'Ivoire player believes that with the support of the club and Arsene Wenger he can eclipse the achievements of the side's former great players

EXCLUSIVE
By Fabien Fougeray

Arsenal forward Gervinho believes he can surpass the likes of Thierry Henry, Ian Wright and Cesc Fabregas to become the club's greatest ever signing.

Since joining the club in July 2011, the Cote d'Ivoire international has struggled to establish himself as a regular first-team player under Arsene Wenger, making just 19 starts in his first season.

The 25-year-old started this campaign on a brighter note, netting five goals in Arsenal's opening seven matches, but a dip in form has seen the forward lose his place to Theo Walcott.

"I want to be here for a long time, do better than all the other players that came here," he told Goal.com. "I'm not thinking about going somewhere else for the moment.

"I'm in one of the best clubs in the world. I've got one of the best managers in the world. I've always wanted to be here. I think long-term, not short-term.

"But to mention the club and the fans, you never know. But for the moment, I'm here for the long term."

Arsenal have struggled for consistent form this season and currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, 21 points behind leaders Manchester United, but Gervinho insists that the feeling at the club remains positive.

"It's never easy when your team is having a hard time," he added. "We try not to think about it too much after every game when things are bad.

"We are responsible for whatever happens to the club. The atmosphere in the locker room is good. We try to keep our heads cool and our chins up to win every weekend.

"Sometimes it works better than others but you have to focus on the positive side so for that next game you still have the right state of mind.

"We've been through some tough periods in the league, but every time we have managed to come back stronger and give our best."

The 25-year-old also praised the passion shown from fans in English football, since his €12 million move from Lille 18 months ago.

He continued: "The passion the British people have for football... they live for football.

"Whatever difficulty their club is having the supporters are always behind it, they don't give up, they travel away with the team; my most striking image is this passion people have for football."