Emmanuel Adebayor's Arsenal Career in Pictures
By (Senior Writer) on July 16, 2009
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It's still undetermined whether Emmanuel Adebayor will join the revolution at Manchester City, but one thing is for sure and that is the Togo international will not be playing in an Arsenal shirt next season.
His bridge has well and truly been burnt with Arsenal Football Club.
The 25-year-old arrived from Monaco in 2006 and for the first two years of his time at Arsenal he was seen as a hardworking forward and an increasingly important part of the squad.
Then came last summer and it all changed.
Here is Emmanuel Adebayor's career at Arsenal in pictures.
Adebayor Arrives at Arsenal
Arsene Wenger returned to his old club to sign Adebayor in January 2006 for a fee in the region of £7million.
Prior to his signing for Arsenal, Adebayor had failed to report back for training with Monaco after getting leave to join up with the Togo international setup.
It wasn't the first or last time Adebayor would anger club management.
Adebayor As a Team Player
In his first full season at Arsenal, Adebayor was often called upon as Thierry Henry suffered several injuries.
In the 2006-2007 season, the Togonator made 44 appearances (12 as a sub), scoring 12 goals.
With the departure of talisman Henry to Barcelona, 2007-2008 would prove to be an important season for Adebayor.
With injuries to Robin Van Persie and Eduardo, Adebayor was Arsenal's leading scorer at season's end with 30 goals in 48 appearances as Arsenal finished third in the league.
The African had seen his stock rise immensely.
The Summer of 2008
With his goal tally from last season, Adebayor was viewed as a top striker in the EPL and Europe.
Many defenders commented on how difficult he was to play against with his mobility and physical strength.
Cue the praise going to the Togo man's head.
In one interview with the media he spoke of his desire to play for AC Milan, who were said to be preparing a bid. This was a club he would go on to label "Beyonce."
In virtually the same breath (listen to him speak) he then said he loved Arsenal and was dedicated to the cause despite his overt flirtations with Milan.
Arsenal fans weren't happy with his apparent lack of respect for the club.
Then he kissed the badge when he scored at the Emirates Cup.
Oh Dear!
Money
In an attempt to keep Adebayor at Arsenal, his wages were doubled to £80,000 a week, making him one of the club's top earners.
“It is not true, it is about money,” Adebayor is quoted as telling BBC Africa Sports editor Farayi Mungazi when asked whether it is true when footballers say that playing for a certain club is not about the wages.
"You are talking about in life and it is about money," the 25-year-old continued.
"When we are young, of course we played because we loved the game, we play because we were passionate about the game.
"But now as soon as you reach a stage where you are professional and playing Champions League, after all those things we are talking about money.
"If it is not because of money, what am I going to be playing for Arsenal for? If it is not because of money I don’t think I would go to Arsenal to play. "
It seemed at this stage that Adebayor had thought he had made it.
His attitude became increasingly annoying, his work rate dropped and his flirtations with other clubs didn't stop.
Off the back of one decent season, Adebayor thought he was Thierry Henry.
Indeed, many Arsenal fans wished that the club had accepted the reported bids been made for the Togo internationals dismissing his year as a fluke.
Many argued that for every five chances Arsenal would create, Adebayor would score only one of those and a more clinical finisher would have had a higher tally.
Offside
With his new found status, Adebayor decided certain jobs that footballers do were beyond his remit.
These included running, moving in any shape of form, jumping, and staying onside.
In the EPL alone last season, Adebayor was offside a startling 43 times. Bare in mind, he missed roughly three months of the season through injury.
This angered Arsenal fans to no end.
A lack of effort is unacceptable from anyone, but in particular from someone who had just had his wages doubled.
The fans began to turn on Adebayor, who decided to blame his laziness on everyone else—the midfield and the fans.
Injury
In the away game at White Hart Lane against Tottenham, Adebayor pulled up with a hamstring injury.
This was to rule him out for two months and seemed exceedingly long for an injury of its type.
On his return he scored some important goals for Arsenal but once again his commitment was questioned.
He mysteriously got injured again toward season's end—although he was deemed fit enough to play for Togo.
Speaking of Spurs
In what was already a bad outing for Arsenal against bitter rivals, Spurs, Adebayor decided it clever to headbutt his teammate, Nicklas Bendtner.
Silly, Silly!
Final Nail in the Coffin?
Manchester United versus Arsenal in the Semi-Final of the UEFA Champions League, first leg.
Arsenal were bad that night but what does one expect when virtually playing with ten men (although Fabregas hardly covered himself in glory either).
Adebayor was beyond useless, sulking around the pitch.
I did manage to find a picture of him kicking the ball though.
Adebayor to Manchester City?
In the last two days, talks have been ongoing between Adebayor's agent and Manchester City with a fee of £25 million said to be agreed between the two clubs.
However, this morning, things are said to have been stalled.
Incredibly, Adebayor has already insulted City fans before even signing for them.
He has claimed that he is worried about how the move will be accepted in his homeland where he says a vast number of people wear Arsenal shirts but have never heard of Manchester City.
Not exactly a way of getting the fans onside now is it?
Not All Bad Times
I would be remiss and immature to suggest that Adebayor didn't have his good times at Arsenal.
There was "that" volley against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, a feat he reproduced against Newcastle at St. James Park.
His overhead bicycle kick against Villareal in last season's Champions League will also live long in the memory.
So Long Adebayor
Although this article may seem immature in its timing, there is clearly no way back for Adebayor at Arsenal.
He has disrespected the club and the vast majority of fans have had enough.
Gunners realize that not everyone will love Arsenal like Adams did or Henry did but the least we can expect is some respect and hard work.
Whoever invests in Adebayor will get a very good player who is a handful for most when he puts his mind to it.
However, they will also get a massive ego that threatens to impede his ability to become a top scorer.
Personally, Adebayor can take his badge-kissing elsewhere.
Hopefully Arsene Wenger will reinvest the money back into the squad but even if he doesn't, Van Persie, Bendtner, Arshavin, or Eduardo will provide scoring in place of Adebayor.
Speaking of Van Persie—now there is a man who knows how to keep the fans onside. Pay heed Emmanuel Adebayor if you want your career to progress.
Thanks for the goals and the dancing Emmanuel, but don't expect a Bobby Pires-welcome should you play at the Emirates again.
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