Wenger calls for Ade support

Gunners boss wants fans to forget summer of discontent

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 19th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger calls for Ade support

Adebayor: Set to stay until 2012

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Arsene Wenger has urged the Arsenal faithful to get behind star striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togolese hit-man ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a new contract at Emirates Stadium on Monday.

He had been strongly linked with a summer move away from North London, with Barcelona and AC Milan expressing an interest in his services.

His supposed demands for a substantial pay rise at the Gunners did little to endear him to the clubs supporters, and he received a mixed reaction during the club's opening game of the new season against West Brom on Saturday.

There are obviously some people unwilling to forgive to forget, but Wenger has called on everyone connected with the club to pull together ahead of a gruelling campaign.

Positive

He said: "We have to get behind him and support him because he is a tremendous force and (is of) tremendous importance for the team - you want your own fans to be behind him.

"What happened in the transfer period did not always reflect his deep desire and there was manipulation from agents on both sides, but overall I am positive he will recover."

Wenger added: "Every player needs to feel wanted.

"I think he is settled in his own mind. He has given a lot in the first two games."

Promising

Wenger's policy of attracting young talent to the Emirates Stadium showed no sign of abating over the summer, with Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri arriving from Cardiff and Marseille respectively.

Concerns have been expressed in the past as to whether a side packed with promise can mount a sustained title challenge, but the Arsenal boss is insistent he has the players at his disposal to be successful this term.

He added: "We are a young side and some more promising youngsters have come through for this season, but they have all got the quality which you need to have if you play for Arsenal.

"If you play at this club you must be ready to play at the very highest level."