Emmanuel Adebayor: My lucky shin pads will bring another goal against Tottenham

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is determined to carry on his amazing goalscoring record against Tottenham - thanks to his lucky shin pads.

Adebayor has scored eight goals in his last seven games against Arsenal's fierce north London rivals and he will go through his pre-match ritual to maintain that run tomorrow.

Adebayor, 25, wears shin pads that he has had since he was a youngster, goes to church to pray before every game and even draws inspiration from a tiger tattoo on his shoulder.

Adebayor said: "I always wear the same shin pads. When I was young I played for Togo and had a friend in Cannes in France.

"He got a pair of shin pads from adidas and gave me a pair. I used them, I scored in Togo.

"I always use them now. I lost them a few years ago but I found them again and now I use them every day. I use the ones I love.

"I believe in these things. I was born in Togo and I had a dream to play for Arsenal and to be the best player in Africa.

"Every time I go on the pitch, I pray and put my life and body into God's hands.

"Some people go on the pitch and can pass away. I want God to know my life is in his hands.

"The tattoo is an African thing.

In Togo we have lots of tigers and in Togo you have to be a tiger - only the strong can survive.

"When I had that tattoo, it made me more angry and helped me."

Adebayor relishes the north London derbies, scoring twice in their last league meeting at White Hart Lane and his volley winning Goal of the Season.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 18 league games against Spurs and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes Adebayor always rises to the occasion - despite a slow start to the campaign.

Wenger insisted: "Adebayor has a good record against Tottenham. Ade did not have a good start to the season.

He was disturbed at the start of the season thinking, 'do I leave?' "He is now back on track and I'm sure the goals will come.

"He is working very hard and getting back slowly."

Wenger will not start with new £12million signing Andrey Arshavin on Sunday as he has not played regularly for two months because the Russian league is in pre-season.

But Wenger has no doubt they can maintain their impressive record against Spurs, even without Russian playmaker Arshavin.

Wenger added: "The worse thing for a player is to play before they are ready. I won't hurry him.

"But I'm confident we have what it takes without Arshavin.

"I believe we are on the way up. We are a bit less creative but that is linked to confidence.

"The team is ready to score goals."

Get your hands on this week's estimated jackpot of £100,000 by playing the New Football Pools .

Find out what our resident Premier League fan bloggers think - and let them know your views.

Follow every Premier League game live with our brilliant Match Tracker .