Arsenal defender Kolo Toure's current plight serves as a reminder to backpackers to ensure they have adequate
backpacker travel insurance before they set off on their travels, it has been claimed.
Toure recently contracted malaria while spending time over the off-season in his home country of Ivory Coast, and as a result is facing a race to be fit for the start of the new campaign.
An Arsenal spokesperson explained to the Daily Mail: "It was obvious to everyone that Kolo was not feeling himself when he met up with the squad.
"He was rushed to hospital and tests showed he had contracted the disease. The medical staff are very concerned about him and are trying to work out how long he will be out for."
According to MoneyExpert, backpackers can learn from Toure's experience by ensuring they take out a travel insurance policy before leaving for foreign fields in case they, too, fall ill or get injured while abroad.
The new Premier League season kicks off on Saturday, August 16th with Arsenal - with or without Toure - taking on newly-promoted West Brom at the Emirates Stadium.
