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By Richard Bailey Last updated: 17th November 2009
Adebayor: Didn't want to leave Arsenal
Emmanuel Adebayor has revealed that he was forced out of Arsenal by manager Arsene Wenger.
The 25-year-old joined Manchester City last summer in a £25million deal and although insisting he loves life at Eastlands the striker confesses Arsene Wenger advised him it would be best if he left.
Gunners fans criticised the Togo international with many believing the move was all about money and Adebayor did little to quell the tensions when his former club visited Manchester earlier in the season.
The former Monaco man got himself on the scoresheet and ran the length of the field to celebrate in front of the travelling Gunners fans all after he had raked his studs down the face of ex-team-mate Robin Van Persie.
"I'm still very pleased that I decided to move to City," he told the Daily Mirror.
"I feel fresh and I'm really enjoying myself on the pitch at the moment. People here have treated me well and that was not happening at Arsenal.
"If I had stayed there, I don't think I would have even played. Arsene Wenger didn't actually say that in so many words, but we did have a good discussion.
"Basically, I was told that I must leave, even though I didn't want to. He said they had come to an agreement with Manchester City and that it would be best for me to go.
"I had to leave because I must play games, because there is nothing better in the whole world than playing regularly."
Adebayor has since apologised for the stamp on Van Persie, for which he received a three-game ban, but his relationship with Arsenal supporters will take longer to heal.
The frontman is yet to score since the Arsenal clash in September with City also stuttering in the Premier League having drawn their last five consecutive matches.
"There is no panic at the club," he pointed out. "This is a long-term project. We have a chance to nurture this team and make it one of the best in the world.
"That's why we bought players like Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure and myself. We've combined with the quality players already here and we feel we can make this club successful.
"Certainly a top four spot is still the aim this season - why not? At the moment you can see that the Big Four are struggling a little bit. Liverpool and Manchester United in particular are finding things tough. So this is the year, everything is open.
"I wasn't surprised that I started so well because I'm a good striker who's here to score goals. I know I have the ability to do that. Last season at Arsenal I was tired as I had been playing with lots of injuries. This campaign is like a fresh start for me."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Man Utd vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs QPR |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Chelsea |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Swansea vs Norwich |
| 17:30 | Tottenham vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 12th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wolverhampton vs West Brom |
| 16:00 | Aston Villa vs Man City |
| Saturday 25th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Aston Villa |
| 17:30 | Man City vs Blackburn |
| Sunday 26th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Arsenal vs Tottenham |
| 13:30 | Norwich vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Swansea |
| Saturday 3rd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Arsenal |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 0 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Sunday 5th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Chelsea 3 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 4th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 7 - 1 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 1 - 2 Swansea | |
| QPR 1 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Norwich 2 - 0 Bolton | |
| Stoke 0 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Everton | |
| Man City 3 - 0 Fulham | |
| Wednesday 1st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 QPR | |
| Fulham 1 - 1 West Brom | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Bolton 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunderland 3 - 0 Norwich | |
| Tuesday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Swansea 1 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Tottenham 3 - 1 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Stoke | |
| Wolverhampton 0 - 3 Liverpool | |
| Everton 1 - 0 Man City | |
Sky Sports Scout is where we scour the globe looking for the best talent, next up is Leandro Damiao.
Man United host Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime in a derby clash that whets the appetite.
Our Fantasy guru offers a word of warning for those expecting Robin van Persie to score big again.
Dean Saunders will take charge of Doncaster this weekend after manager Sean O'Driscoll was placed on gardening leave.
Manchester United's Nani has re-iterated his desire to become the best player in the world.
Kolo Toure has thanked Arsene Wenger for his backing and says the Arsenal boss will bounce back.
Man Utd's Javier Hernandez is available to face Stoke, while Rio Ferdinand will also hopefully feature.
Alan Pardew has told Hatem Ben Arfa he still has more to do to earn a Premier League return.
Comments (133)
Richard Smith (Arsenal fan) says...
it looks like Ade still misses not being a member of the arsenal sqaud. He says he is happy at city, but almost every week , he has something to say about arsenal. common men! move on as your statements are bocoming irritating.
Posted 15:13 17th November 2009
Ross Mackay (Manchester United fan) says...
Adeybayor,Adeybayor. were 2 start lol! if adey has a gd game he has a gd game! but if this guy has a bad game hes absouloutly shocking! And if u look at arsenal van persi,eduardo,walcott,arshavin,diaby,vela,bedner,rosicky,fabergas, etc etc were can u possibly pute adeybayor am sorry if u dont agree but hes not that gd a player! am not sayin he isnt gd but hes not vanpersi,rooney,torres,drogba gd! and that wot arsenal have 2 find bcoz hey are a top 4 team! if it does ever hapen it will be a long time till man city are in the top 4 because my personal opinion is that aston villa and tottenham are more of a challenge! and definatly have better managers!
Posted 15:11 17th November 2009
Ashley Barwick (Arsenal fan) says...
I don't believe this peanut for one minute... But if i am wrong and he was forced out, GOOD!! i wouldn't be able to put up with more lack lustre performances and also his ability to disrupt the dressing room. Wonder why we've been banging them in, simple, he's gone. Good Riddance
Posted 15:08 17th November 2009
Syed Faraz (Arsenal fan) says...
Another dirty game by Adebayor, this time Arsenal wont fall pray of Adebayor's dirty games in the upcomming Carling Cup fixture.
Posted 15:03 17th November 2009
Iscarvin Jonah (Arsenal fan) says...
For sure a mention of Adebayor his disgusts and disguise.Before he was at a gunner,Sorry he actually deserves not to be,many had not known and long before i had argued with pals of any worst event this man could bring into the club.my prophecy need no justification sorry.indeed for sure not be certain this whitty gee player who Le'proffessor Arsene had tried to norish /groom him into becoming one who is today and on sad note he had repaid the manager and especially the fans with what he is into. he previously had claimed fans don,t love him.For sure Ade's manners of running fast the pitch and celeberats a goal at Arsenal fans is not worth forgiving him and forgetting.Look at our invincible players,take Kolo for one at man city what bad did he say about the club he had been there quite a long time.Please mr.Ade,next you should get focussed into playing your games ast Man city than just playing words play.You sit back where ever you may at man city,i don,t care and watch our games on the your Tv .I think Ade needs only to concentrate and get the hell out the ARSENAL name and help his club into the BIG FOUR as anticipated.
Posted 15:02 17th November 2009
Michael Moy (Arsenal fan) says...
adebayor needs to look back before he joined the gunners and realise he was a selfish man then,he has not learnt anything except becoming a pro whinger, sorry for man city fans, got it all to come
Posted 15:00 17th November 2009
Ozayr Arnold (Manchester City fan) says...
Guys lay off him. He is quality and now he is appreciated. him leaving has been good for both arsenal and city. Van persie has blossomed, and ade has too. Saturday's game is key.
Posted 14:56 17th November 2009
Ken Sambo (Arsenal fan) says...
asked to leave is the football equivalent of being retrenched,ade,you were excess to our requirements,we advised you to leave,compare that with your treatment of stephen keshi 4 years back
Posted 14:55 17th November 2009
Jason Carr (Manchester City fan) says...
To all the people that think he's gobbing off again,he made these quotes weeks ago it's just the mirror bringing up OLD news as they aren't capable of decent journalism.
Posted 14:55 17th November 2009
Meda Mans (Arsenal fan) says...
Ade i am an African like you and i support Arsenal,i am kindly asking you stop creating headaches for your self. can't you learn from Kolo he too was sold but he isn't behaving like a child as you are. man life must go on. Go and help your team to reach the arsenal standards. NONSENSE!!!! carry on with your life please am pleading for the sake of Africa.
Posted 14:51 17th November 2009
Mohamed Omar (Arsenal fan) says...
Less thing about Adebayor he is gd football player. But he went to go man city because about the money. I am very happy he left the team. Because with out Adebayor we wine all games. Only lots man city and man u. don¿t thing is coming back to arsenal football clup.
Posted 14:45 17th November 2009
William Oryem (Arsenal fan) says...
Ade didn't appreciate it when he was at Arsenal. He thought he was Thierry incarnate. Well u never know a good thing till it's gone. Whingeing ain't gonna help stick to Man City affairs.
Posted 14:43 17th November 2009
Faisal Suleiman (Chelsea fan) says...
i dont get why people dissing him, he has the right to leave a club if he wants and have the right to celebrate watever he likes arsenal fans didnt respedct him i dont see why he should respect them, well he didnt wana leave and wanted to stay but manager didnt want him to for some reason, he is a fantastic striker i dont support city or arsenal but people do make mistakes,and he did apologise no need to still hating as he doesnt hate any of you guys, he gets paid and doing good for the club.
Posted 14:42 17th November 2009
Jeff Edgar (Arsenal fan) says...
If Adebayor was forced out by Wenger... then Adebayor is doing everything to prove Wenger's judgement was spot on! His continued dailogue about his move, his "gripe" with Arsenal fans and his stupid "antics" during the game at Eastlands just reaffirms that Wenger was right. Personally I dont think it was entirely Wenger forcing him out, "high maintenance" footballers (and there are quite a few in the Premiership) appear to seek the attention that other top class footballers leave behind... My advice: Adebayor get on with your game, find the net 20+ times this year and for the next two years - and make the City fans happy that their club pays you an awful lot of money. Sadly I just cant see it...
Posted 14:39 17th November 2009
Faboulous Gill (Arsenal fan) says...
you need to find a life on the other side you're not welcome anymore SORRY!!! ADE
Posted 14:31 17th November 2009
Mark Hughes (Manchester City fan) says...
Hi, you may know me as Sparky? Please can someone come and pick up Adebayor he hasn't stopped moaning since he arrived and he actually isn't that great! I think his heart lies at the Emirates but I know you down there would prefer Shaun Goater than Ademoaner so if there is anyone out there that wants him, please feel free to stop by and pick him up. Sir Al thanks for Carlos he's a great player works hard doesn't moan and contributes massively to the team unlike the aforementioned Ademoaner. Also has anyone seen a 5'8" Brazillian, last seen at Manchester Airport heading to Qatar? Looks a lot like Marcelo from Real Madrid but not as good. A heafty reward has been put in place but as we are Man City just name your inflated price and of course we will meet your requirements :)
Posted 14:29 17th November 2009
Bruce Thorn (Arsenal fan) says...
Me thinks the lazy mercenary doth protest too much.
Posted 14:29 17th November 2009
Claire Heffernan (Arsenal fan) says...
He's like a broken record - does he not get it?? We don't care why, we're just glad he has gone!!
Posted 14:27 17th November 2009
Chris Rogans (Arsenal fan) says...
Great sale for Arsenal 25 milion for a player who turns up one week and then not the next. More trouble then he is worth. Results are showing Arsenal arent missing him. Another great bit of business by Wenger
Posted 14:26 17th November 2009
Nicholas Azemika (Arsenal fan) says...
Somebody please tell this guy to shut up already. I am so sick and tired of him talking about Arsenal. Somebody needs to tell him that he is old news, and nobody cares anymore about him leaving. The team is doing so much better since he left. Maybe that is what is bothering this idiot; the fact that the team is actually scoring more goals and winning more than when he was playing for us. Whatever the reason, he needs to shut up and stop talking about our club. We don't care about him anymore, and he needs to move on and stop talking about our club.
Posted 14:26 17th November 2009