Ultimately, it was a disastrous experience for the 26-year-old. He was hauled off during an ineffectual display in the opening draw with Togo, overlooked altogether against the Democratic Republic of Congo, and only belatedly introduced -- as the game got away from the Elephants -- in their final group game against Morocco.

The midfielder, who was supposed to have been the fulcrum of this new post-Golden Generation Ivorian side, appeared over-hyped and overawed.

Over the last six months, however, Seri has proceeded to answer any lingering critics emphatically.

He was consistently excellent last season as Nice upset the established order in Ligue 1 and secured a top-three finish, scoring seven and contributing nine assists from a deep-lying role in midfield.

In fact, Seri appears to just keep on getting better and better, and his display for Les Aiglons in their Champions League third-round qualifying draw against Ajax on Wednesday night demonstrates that he has the quality to impose himself in high-profile fixtures.

It was exactly the kind of display that will help Arsenal fans understand why their club have been so heavily linked with the midfielder during the transfer window.

Last term, Seri was among the most effective passers in Ligue 1.

He averaged 83.4 passes per match - the third highest in the division - and averaged 2.2 key passes per game, a tally bettered by only three players.

The Ivorian is primarily suited to operating as a sitting deep-lying playmaker; keeping things ticking over, dictating the tempo, and picking out mobile forwards with ranging passes.

However, against the Dutch heavyweights on Wednesday, Seri demonstrated the more dynamic side of his game, an aspect that we didn't see too much of in Ligue 1 last term.

He's no enforcer, but he nipped in and won the ball effectively with timely interceptions, before tearing forward - slaloming past defenders with the help of his small frame and low centre of gravity - and supporting the forward.

His assist for Mario Balotelli's opener, as he drove down the right side, evaded the challenge of Nick Viergever, and sent in an almost unmissable cross, demonstrated that - unlike many more sedate central-midfield passmasters - Seri has that extra gear and can make decisive contributions in the final third.

He's no N'Golo Kante - as some have claimed - but the combination of dynamism, technical class and creativity would make him a significant upgrade on some of the Gunners' current options.

However, while Arsenal are the hot favourites for Seri's signature - the midfielder reportedly has a £36 million release clause - another Premier League side who ought to be looking at the West African is Liverpool.

The Reds' high-profile pursuit of RasenBallsport Leipzig's Naby Keita has been one of the transfer sagas of the summer, and finally appears to be dead in the water after the Bundesliga side rejected an astronomical £66 million bid for the Guinea international.

Seri may be four years older than Keita, but for just over half the fee, he could offer the Reds the kind of energy and poise in midfield that they've occasionally lacked in recent seasons.

The departure of Lucas Leiva leaves Jurgen Klopp short of bodies in the heart of the park, and the German must surely now begin to consider other options after - apparently - missing out on Keita.

Technically, Seri has the quality to thrive in the middle of Klopp's modern Liverpool, while the midfielder also has the intelligence and the attitude to become a valuable asset for the Merseysiders.

He may have flopped at the Afcon, but as Wednesday night's performance demonstrated, Seri's unique bundle of skills will make him a key component of whichever team are lucky enough to have him this season.