Adebayor explains walkout

Emmanuel Adebayor says he could begin his Arsenal career earlier than expected.

Emmanuel Adebayor says he has quit the African Cup of Nations to begin his Arsenal career.

The striker was furious at being omitted from the Togo starting line-up that crashed to a 2-0 defeat against DR Congo on Saturday and he is now set to walk away from the competition.

He feels his relationship with coach Stephen Keshi is beyond repair and he will now be getting in touch with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to ascertain whether or not he would be happy for him to start his Premiership career earlier than expected.

Adebayor told skysports.com: "The African Cup of Nations is finished for me. I am leaving the team. I will call Wenger and, if he is happy for me to go to Arsenal, I will go and start my career.

"I don't have a good relationship with Stephen - we can't get on. I did my best to qualify my country for the World Cup and now I am paying for it.

"We lost yesterday and I do not know why I did not start. I was shocked - the main goalscorer of the team [being left out] - that is a joke.

"I scored thirteen goals to qualify my country and I can't start in the African Cup of Nations."