Adebayor: Finishing above Arsenal would confirm I was right to leave them

Feb 23, 2013 9:20:00 AM

The Tottenham striker is determined to prove his decision to quit the Emirates back in 2009 was the correct one, as he aims to help Spurs challenge for a Champions League place

Tottenham Hotspur forward Emmanuel Adebayor is determined to help his team-mates maintain their four-point advantage over north London rivals Arsenal, as he claims that beating the Gunners in the overall Premier League standings this season would prove he was right to leave them.

The striker left Arsenal in 2009 for Manchester City, but after failing to make a lasting impression at the Etihad, joined Spurs last season on loan before completing a permanent deal in the summer.

SPURS IN THE DRIVING SEAT

1. Man United 2. Man City 3. Chelsea 4. Tottenham ...................... 5. Arsenal 6. Everton	PD 26 26 26 26 ........ 26 26	PTS 65 53 49 48 ........ 44 42	GD +31 +24 +27 +14 ........ +21 +8

Adebayor told The Telegraph: “Everyone knows there’s a big rivalry between Arsenal and Spurs.

“When I was at Arsenal, my job was to score goals for them. Now I’m at Tottenham and I have to help the team finish in the top four.

“We have a big chance this season to finish on top of them and we have to take it.

“Last season at the last game of a tough race, you know what happened. We don’t want to commit the same mistake. For me it’s a big chance to show people I was right to leave Arsenal, which means finishing on top of them. If that’s with Tottenham even better.”

The two clubs clash at White Hart Lane on 3 March, when Adebayor can expect the visiting Arsenal supporters to give him a typically hostile reception. However, he revealed that he doesn't get distracted by boos and taunts from the fans.

He added: “I’ve seen people dying in front of me. So 30,000 people abusing me, I take it as a joke, part of life.”

Adebayor will also be looking to make amends for his performance in the first north London derby of the season, when - after putting Spurs ahead in the 10th minute - he committed a rash foul, was promptly red-carded, and saw his team lose 5-2 to the hosts for the second year running.

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Champions League final - LIVE!

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

7:40 PM BST

However, former Dortmund attacker Marcio Amoroso believes the fact that Bayern are being widely tipped to win counts for nothing tonight.

"Everyone says Bayern are the favourites, and I believe they are. But when it comes to the real thing, that doesn't exist. They'll be playing in neutral field, with split fans... When it comes to the fans, I think Borussia is much better served."

7:37 PM BST

Let's here from a couple of Brazilians with a keen interest in this game. First, former Bayern midfielder Ze Roberto, who has some interesting things to say on this all-German final.

"The German school has always been one of strength rather than technique. Today, they have found the perfect balance between the two things. That's why they've grown so much in the last few years. This final between two Germans shows the strength of the country's football.

"But the biggest difference between my Bayern and today's Bayern is that today the team is really forward-driven. It's a strong group, that plays together for a long time. They have a very experienced coach. And the players are all of international level. I see Bayern more prepared for the final.

"It will be a very good final, but I think Bayern has the advantage."

7:32 PM BST

Very worrying scenes for Bayern fans!!! Bastian Schweinsteiger is struggling. He's receiving treatment on an apparent ankle injury after being levelled by a strong challenge from Mario Mandzukic during the warm-up. Yes, you've read that right: Schweinsteiger has been injured by his team-mate!

However, the watching Christoph Metzelder is in no doubt that the Bayern midfielder will still start, telling Sky Germany: "As long as he can shoot he will play."

7:29 PM BST

Right, just to explain, we have three representatives at Wembley tonight:

- Tim Rohn, Goal Germany correspondent

- Stefan Doring, Dortmund fan

- Tobias Kind, Bayern fan

Let's check in with Tim to get a taste of the pre-game atmosphere inside the ground ...

"30 minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is already amazing. Both groups of fans sing songs to rile the other ones. But everythings is peaceful. Jurgen Klopp stood some minutes alone at the kick-off-point and let all the Wembley madness have an effect on him."

7:25 PM BST

The phrase 'mixed emotions' seems made for Matthias Sammer, the legendary sweeper who inspired Dortmund to Champions League glory in 1997 but who is now employed by Bayern Munich. However, he's doing a pretty decent job of putting his old allegiances to one side ahead of tonight's final.

"It is hard to talk about feelings ahead of a match," the Bayern sporting director told Sky Sport Germany. "We want to show what made us strong all these weeks.

"We may not forget that Dortmund lost twice and drew twice in our last four matches. But they will present themselves differently tonight, that is for sure."

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