Adebayor: Seeking silverware

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Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has told his team-mates that they may have to learn to win 'dirty' this season.

The Gunners have been lauded over recent campaigns for their aesthetic style of play, but it has been three years since they last landed a trophy.

Adebayor has now hinted that Arsene Wenger's young side need to toughen up in order to end the silverware drought at Emirates Stadium.

And the Togo international feels Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg victory over FC Twente is an indication that progress is taking place.

Difficult

"A lot of people talk about the good football we play at Arsenal but we are all in this game to win trophies and we haven't done that," he said in The Sun.

"It's difficult because when I signed for Arsenal from Monaco I knew I had the chance to win a lot of things. But I've been here for almost three years and I still haven't won anything.

"So now we have to realise that while it's good to play nice football, there are times when you need to be dirty to win a game.

"We have learned a lot recently. One of the lessons is that sometimes you have to be tough when you are on the pitch - that is part of football. We don't have to be beautiful all the time.

Speculation

"On Wednesday night, against Twente, we didn't play good football, certainly nowhere near our best but we won 2-0 - and that's what it is all about."

Summer speculation has seen Adebayor linked with a move to AC Milan or Barcelona, but the 24-year-old insists he has not been influenced by the rumours.

"All the summer speculation passed over my head and is already behind me," added Adebayor. "The most important thing now is to keep scoring for Arsenal.

"I have a four-year contract and I'm very happy here. Now I am fighting with my team-mates to achieve something."