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Gervinho backing Wilfried Zaha to shine for Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations as forward admits he hopes to return to Arsenal one day

Former Arsenal forward Gervinho has backed Wilfried Zaha to shine at the Africa Cup of Nations, as the Crystal Palace star looks to guide The Elephants to back to back titles.

Gervinho was part of the team that won the competition two years ago, and while he is out of this edition through injury, Zaha, a recent call-up having played previously for England, is expected to be a like for like replacement.

And Gervinho says he will have no trouble adapting to the game in his new national team.

Gervinho has backed Wilfried Zaha to shine at the Africa Cup of Nations
Gervinho has backed Wilfried Zaha to shine at the Africa Cup of Nations
Zaha (centre) in action during the Ivory Coast session in Gabon on Monday
Zaha (centre) in action during the Ivory Coast session in Gabon on Monday

‘In the Ivory Coast, even when you’re new, you integrate quickly,’ he told Sportsmail ahead of Ivory Coast’s tournament opener against Togo on Monday.