ARSENAL defender Kolo Toure has heaped praise on Sunderland boss Roy Keane, but the Ivory Coast international is hoping is players haven't inherited their manager's combative nature on the field.

The Gunners travel to the Stadium of Light today as they seek to get their title challenge back on track after the team's shock defeat to Hull last week. But Toure will not be taking the Black Cats lightly, as they did Phil Brown's Tigers, and is preparing himself for a real battle.

"Roy Keane is a good coach and he has a good group of players at Sunderland," said the defender. "He had a special character as a player. He was someone who was really strong when he stepped onto the pitch and I hope as a manager he hasn't instilled that into his players!

Toure will have his hands full this afternoon as new signing Djibril Cisse has already made a big impact on Wearside and he will be keen to prove his credentials against one of the league's big boys.

"Sunderland are doing well this season. They have brought in El Hadji Diouf and Djibril Cisse and they will be a tough team to play against, especially as they are playing at home."