Emmanuel Adebayor: Arsenal fans got what they deserved
Published 23:00 16/11/09 By Martin Lipton
Emmanuel Adebayor cranked up his grudge with Arsenal by insisting he has no regrets over his controversial goal celebrations against the Gunners.
Adebayor will face his former side again in the Carling Cup in two weeks' time, two months after his 100-yard dash after scoring started a mini-riot at Eastlands.
The Togo hitman escaped with a suspended ban and £25,000 fine for his celebrations but was given a retrospective three-game punishment for stamping on Robin Van Persie.
But now Adebayor has risked stirring up the wrath of his former team-mates and Arsenal fans again by accusing Arsene Wenger’s players of blanking him before the game. He also told Gunners fans they deserved everything they got.
Adebayor said: “I guess it was the way I felt treated that made me react the way I did after scoring that goal.
“I did feel very hurt. I had been so excited to play against my old team-mates, but they didn’t want to shake my hand in the tunnel and then I heard the fans singing about my parents.”
Arsenal fans’ groups had denied the infamous racist chant - initiated by Spurs supporters - had been directed at Adebayor during the September 12 game.
But the 25-year-old striker told Zoo magazine: “You can say what you like about me on the pitch, but please don’t mention my family.
“Everyone has their limit and I love my parents more than anything.
“After that, I had no choice. I can’t go into the crowd with them and start shouting, so I thought the best response would be to score.
“Luckily, I managed to do just that and then the emotions took over, although I had calmed down before I got to them.
“It was just my way of saying, 'You let me go. See, I am not as terrible a player as you thought I was'!”
Adebayor’s latest comments seem certain to wind up the tension even if Wenger sends out his usual Carling Cup shadow side.
But the African remains adamant he did nothing wrong and his stance will be backed by City boss Mark Hughes, who will stand behind his players to foster the spirit that could propel them to silverware and a top four finish.
