Wenger: I can’t understand why Adebayor hates Arsenal
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger insists Emmanuel Adebayor deserves to be charged by the Football Association and says he cannot understand why the ex-Gunner appears to hate his old club.
Adebayor, sold to Manchester City during the summer, is facing a four-match ban after being charged with stamping on former team-mate Robin van Persie and celebrating provocatively in front of Arsenal supporters during Saturday’s clash.
In the build-up to City’s 4-2 win, Adebayor said he felt he had been treated unfairly during his time at the Emirates, particularly by fans who turned against him after he angled for a move abroad.
But Wenger, whose side face Standard Liege tonight, believes Adebayor was treated well during three and a half years in north London during which he became one of the European game’s hottest properties.
“My thought is that Emmanuel Adebayor deserves to be charged for what he did,” said Wenger. “But I was surprised that there was such animosity in his attitude towards Arsenal because in a few years he will realise that Arsenal has been great for him. I was deeply surprised and shocked. I think the longer distance will make Adebayor realise that Arsenal was a very positive influence in his life.”
Wenger is without Van Persie, Denilson and Manuel Almunia for this evening’s fixture in Belgium, their opening Champions League group game. Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin both remain sidelined, while goalkeeper Almunia’s absence means Italian youngster Vito Mannone is set for only his second senior start, and his first in Europe.