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Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor: I never asked to leave Arsenal
Gunners fans think I'm the bad guy, says Togo international...
28 Feb 2010 10:10:00
By Gill Clark
Emmanuel Adebayor has claimed that he did not want to leave Arsenal and he only made the move to Manchester City because Gunners boss Arsene Wenger forced him out.
The Togo international swapped the Emirates from Eastlands last summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million, amidst reports of dressing room unrest.
Yet the 26-year-old has told the News of the World that it wasn’t his decision to leave and even challenged Wenger to a live television debate to prove he is speaking the truth.
“It was because Arsene [Wenger] didn't want me anymore," he said. "If Arsene has a big heart we can go on a TV show to have a debate and he will never say I told him I wanted to leave the club.
"He'll never say that. He knows it full well. I respect him enormously, and he knows that, but the most annoying thing about the whole story is when people say I wanted to leave for the money.
"If I had really wanted to, I would have left two years ago for the money and gone to Milan or Barcelona."
The tabloid also reports that, in an interview with French television channel Canal Plus, Adebayor dismissed speculation that he was a disruptive influence in north London.
"I read that it was me who was the troublemaker in the changing rooms. That's unbelievable,” he continued.
"If one player can say that I, Emmanuel Adebayor, spoke badly to anyone in the changing rooms then I'd honestly like to know who it is. It has never happened in my life."
Adebayor put in a controversial performance when he faced his former club earlier in the season after appearing to stamp on Robin van Persie and then celebrating a goal by running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans.
The return fixture is scheduled for April and the Togolese admitted he was expecting a hot reception at the Emirates: "It will be 90 minutes of hell. The fans will boo me, insult me, because until now, they haven't understood why I left. I'm the bad guy."
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The Togo international swapped the Emirates from Eastlands last summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million, amidst reports of dressing room unrest.
Yet the 26-year-old has told the News of the World that it wasn’t his decision to leave and even challenged Wenger to a live television debate to prove he is speaking the truth.
“It was because Arsene [Wenger] didn't want me anymore," he said. "If Arsene has a big heart we can go on a TV show to have a debate and he will never say I told him I wanted to leave the club.
"He'll never say that. He knows it full well. I respect him enormously, and he knows that, but the most annoying thing about the whole story is when people say I wanted to leave for the money.
"If I had really wanted to, I would have left two years ago for the money and gone to Milan or Barcelona."
The tabloid also reports that, in an interview with French television channel Canal Plus, Adebayor dismissed speculation that he was a disruptive influence in north London.
"I read that it was me who was the troublemaker in the changing rooms. That's unbelievable,” he continued.
"If one player can say that I, Emmanuel Adebayor, spoke badly to anyone in the changing rooms then I'd honestly like to know who it is. It has never happened in my life."
Adebayor put in a controversial performance when he faced his former club earlier in the season after appearing to stamp on Robin van Persie and then celebrating a goal by running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans.
The return fixture is scheduled for April and the Togolese admitted he was expecting a hot reception at the Emirates: "It will be 90 minutes of hell. The fans will boo me, insult me, because until now, they haven't understood why I left. I'm the bad guy."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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