Soccer

Adebayor remains committed to Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor is “100 per cent an Arsenal footballer” and has vowed to repay the club by firing them to glory in 2010 — but…

Wed May 06 2009 - 01:00

Emmanuel Adebayor is “100 per cent an Arsenal footballer” and has vowed to repay the club by firing them to glory in 2010 — but accepts the young Gunners failed to move forwards this season.

Following their Champions League lesson last night at the hands of holders Manchester United, whose early double salvo at Emirates Stadium effectively killed off the semi-final tie inside 11 minutes, Arsene Wenger’s men now have little other than pride left to play for as a campaign which had promised so much again failed to deliver.

Adebayor is one of several of Arsenal’s key players who could not produce a big performance when it really mattered, the Gunners also seeing their FA Cup hopes extinguished at the semi-final stage with defeat to Chelsea at Wembley.

Nevertheless, the 6ft 3in Togo frontman — who last summer agreed a lucrative new deal to stay following interest from AC Milan — firmly believes both he and the club have a bright future together, but must look to learn the lessons of another frustrating end to the season.

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“I think we have taken a step backwards — not only me, but the team,” declared the 25-year-old, who smashed 30 goals last season. We need some players. We had [Alex] Hleb gone to Barcelona, [Mathieu] Flamini gone to Milan.

“At the beginning of the season it was quite difficult, but we have showed we have passed that moment. The team are quite young and we have tried to make the best of everything.

“Now we have to fight for what are we going to achieve next season.”

Adebayor — signed from Monaco during January 2006 — has once again been linked with a summer move away from Arsenal to Milan. However, the Togo frontman insists nothing is further from his mind.

Adebayor declared: “Arsenal put me where I am today — they made me one of the biggest strikers in the world. I have to pay them back.

“How am I going to pay them back? Make them win trophies. That is what I am here for and I have to fight for that.

“Next season, 100 per cent, I am an Arsenal footballer. Before signing for Arsenal, people were telling me I have the chance to win things here. Now I am empty-handed — but I do not have any reason for leaving until I get the trophies that I came here for.”