The striker Gervinho said he was ready to fight for the Ivory Coast in January’s African Cup of Nations finals despite that costing him four weeks of Premier League action with Arsenal.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to his Arsenal tenure after moving from French side Lille in the summer, scoring two goals and making several others for his teammates. Arsenal will simply have to do without him for up to four weeks when the Ivory Coast plays in the Cup of Nations, which takes place in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon from 21 January to 12 February.

“It has always been like that. It is always difficult to leave your mates and your club in the middle of the season for another competition,” Gervinho told Arsenal’s official web site. “I am doing it for my country so it is not in vain. It is always a great pleasure to fight for your own country.”

Gervinho also said he was proud to be nominated for the 2011 African Player of the Year award, named in a 10-man shortlist which also includes Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba from the English Premier League.

“It would mean a lot. Every African player dreams of winning this award. I was choked to learn I got shortlisted,” he added. “There are so many good players in Africa that it’s a pleasure just to know I am among the 10 best players. If I am fortunate enough to win it I will be very happy, even more so at my young age. If I don’t win this trophy I will still be happy to be one of the ten best players of the year.”