There may be little worse in football, when a former player for your team comes up against you for a new club and scores a goal of vital importance. However, when Emmanuel Adebayor came up against Arsenal for his new side Manchester City back in 2009, he managed to go one step further by deliberately celebrating furiously in front of the fans who once chanted his name with joy and celebration.
He may have apologised for his actions later, but a goal to send Arsenal into further misery whilst playing for their fierce, local rivals Tottenham today would surely see him step beyond the already fragile stages of forgiveness.
It seems that if the Togolese striker were to score against Arsenal again, we would not see a repeat of two years ago, as Adebayor has again apologised for his actions towards Arsenal fans. The 27 year-old, who scored 62 goals in 143 appearances in four seasons at Arsenal said ahead of the clash:
“When I signed for Tottenham, Alex Song said: ‘Adebayor, are you doing this on purpose because it’s Arsenal?’ I said: ‘No, brother, I’m professional and the only choice I have is Tottenham. It’s a fantastic club and I’m back to see my family. It’s going to be fun to play against you.'”
“When we watched the Champions League draw last season, we started laughing. Lassana Diarra [Real’s former Arsenal midfielder] asked if I was going to score against them again. I said that I love Tottenham but the ball is going in the net. Now, hopefully, I’ll be scoring for Tottenham. If I have the chance to score against Arsenal, trust me, I will score, although I would never again celebrate like I did.”
“What happened two years ago was an accident and I apologise to all the fans of Arsenal.”
Having played three games so far this season for Spurs, Adebayor has scored three goals – an average of a goal a game. Arsene Wenger will be hoping that the man he signed from Monaco for just £3 million a few years ago, will not continue his impressive goalscoring record against a struggling Arsenal side.
The manager will also be hoping to see Robin van Persie sign a new contract to stay at the Emirates for at least a good few years after rumours linked the Dutchman to a move to Manchester City. Wenger did not take kindly to the suggestion of his star leaving, claiming that City do not need another striker, and even if they did, van Persie is under contract for two more years at Arsenal. Wenger said:
“Anybody who wants to sign one of our players . . . everybody has my phone number and can call me. I never said I was unhappy with Man City but I don’t know why we speak about transfers. I will never answer any more. Robin is under contract until 2013. This is a story created to create a story. Why should we sell players in January? Man City already have problems because they have too many strikers, they pay half of the league for them to play away somewhere.”
Arsenal will be pleased to know that van Persie, who reached his landmark 100th goal for Arsenal last week will be available to play against Tottenham and Adebayor. He will not only be looking to add to the incredible tally for the club, but perhaps get his own back for the stamp he suffered at the hands/boot of Adebayor in that same match in 2009.
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