Skip to content

Arsenal's problem is they are just Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, says Emmanuel Adebayor

Alexis Sanchez with Mesut Ozil during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Arsenal at Liberty Stadium
Image: Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have 18 months remaining on their Arsenal contracts

Emmanuel Adebayor believes Arsenal have a lack of squad depth and says they are over reliant on Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

Both Ozil and Sanchez's long-term futures at Arsenal are uncertain with the pair yet to sign new contracts despite their present deals having just 18 months remaining.

Live Nissan Super Sunday

Sanchez is the Gunners' top scorer this season with 16 goals in all competitions and he has also provided 13 assists while Ozil has scored nine goals and added seven assists.

Adebayor scored 62 goals during his three-and-a-half years at Arsenal but never won a trophy and he believes their bid for silverware this season could be ended if either Sanchez or Ozil gets injured.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights: Swansea 0-4 Arsenal

"At Arsenal I reached a time when everything I was doing turned into goals," he told the Guardian. "We all have that - the one, two or three years where you are right at the top. We should have done it that year, but missed some experience and the team was quite young.

"Arsenal have a good team but if Sanchez gets injured I don't know who they've got. If you look at Chelsea, when Hazard gets injured they've got Willian; if Willian gets injured they can still play Moses further forward. Arsenal's problem is that today they are just Ozil and Sanchez. If one of them gets injured, it is a problem."

Adebayor is currently with the Togo squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, despite having been without a club since his contract with Crystal Palace expired at the end of last season.

Also See:

The 32-year-old still retains hope of returning to the Premier League although he admits he has a bad reputation in English football.

Emmanuel Adebayor in action for Crystal Palace
Image: Emmanuel Adebayor has been without a club since leaving Crystal Palace at the end of last season

The striker says he has maintained a relationship with Tottenham, despite a fallout with Mauricio Pochettino, and has issued a direct plea to Spurs fans.

"I'm happy for Pochettino and how they are doing," he added. "Things didn't work out between us but he is a great manager and we still have a good relationship despite what people might think. We still keep in touch - he is a good guy and has changed Tottenham.

"I don't know whether the fans there hate me or love me but they should remember one thing, which is that there was a time when I scored goals for them and made them happy."

Around Sky