Adebayor Staying at Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor has ended speculation about his immediate future by announcing he is staying at Arsenal.

The Togo striker, who scored 30 goals in 48 games last season, has been a target for both AC Milan and Barcelona.

But the 24-year-old said: "I have a good contract, we have a good team there and I'm playing for one of the biggest teams in the world.

"The most important thing for me is to keep on enjoying my football. I'm staying at Arsenal."

AC Milan have made it public knowledge that Adebayor is their main target this summer.

Should talks ever take place over a move, the former Monaco frontman insisted money would not be a factor.


Glad to see he's finally come out and killed this needless speculation off


"When I was young I had a dream to be a good footballer and play for a big team," said Adebayor, who was in Vienna with his sponsors.

"I was born in Togo so I never cared about playing for money, my happiness was to play to enjoy myself. That's what I've been doing until now.

"You can see people changing clubs because of money, because they want a change of atmosphere or to get their names in the big leagues. I just play football to enjoy myself. I play because I love it."

One Arsenal player who has already made the move to Milan is Mathieu Flamini.

The French midfielder joined the 2007 Champions League winners this summer after his contract with the Gunners came to an end.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has also been in Austria for Euro 2008, had wanted to keep his countryman at the Emirates Stadium, but Flamini felt it was in his best interests to leave.

Adebayor thinks that Flamini, who impressed as a holding midfielder last season, will be missed.

"He was one of Arsenal's biggest players," Adebayor said. "He's a good man, a good character and a good footballer.

We play good football, now we look forward to winning trophies

Emmanuel Adebayor

"But he's made his decision and he's very happy to have signed for Milan. He has all the qualities to become a bigger player than he was at Arsenal."

Still, Adebayor believes Arsenal will thrive without Flamini and hails the team spirit in the camp.

"Everyone is between 21 and 26 years old, we are all the same generation," he said. "We all have the same ideas, we go out together after games to restaurants.

"We all have the same ideas and we all want to achieve something. We have a good boss which is Arsene Wenger. He tries to bring this atmosphere to the dressing room where we feel like brothers and like family.

"Those are the reasons that give us a chance to play the football we play. We play good football, now we look forward to winning trophies."

Latest Statements of Arsenal Players

I will never play for a club where I am not comfortable with the manager. It is true that Arsene Wenger has helped me a lot and I can only thank him for everything he has done for me. I owe him a lot but if I want to stay at Arsenal, it is because I have trust in the team and I am comfortable to stay there.

I feel very important there and the day that changes will be when I want to have a new club. I want to continue living here and not risk losing leaving all the things which suit me so well. I feel important at Arsenal and have a lot of responsibilities in the team

Emmanuel is a very good player. There has been a lot of talk about his future and we will see what happens in the next few weeks. It will be his decision and I hope when he makes his choice - it will be the best decision

In my head it was always clear: I wanted to stay at Arsenal so I did not have to look any further or to wonder who wanted me. I gave them a guarantee of confidence. I am super happy. I hope that we can continue like this for another few years. It is just an extension of two years, so it binds me to the club for four years, so if I go to the end of my contract, it will be eight years that I will be at Arsenal. If everything goes well, I hope I can fulfil my contract.

Transfer News

Arsenal have been linked with Samir Nasri(Marseille), though the player has confirmed the move but his club insists there is no linkage.

There has been contact with the Valencia stricking duo of David Silva and David Villa, but any decision of their transfers are far from confirmed as many other big clubs are also in the hunt for signing them.

Albiol of Valencia has been reported to be linked to Arsenal as the player wants away from his club.

Lukas Podolski is certain for a tranfer this summer from his club,Bayern Munich but his destination is yet to be resolved as Arsenal,Manchester United,Liverpool,Villareal are reported to be in contact with the player.

Shay Given of Newcastle is also closely in contact with Arsenal as jens Lehmann has left the club,but the player wants to retire from his current club so a transfer is not likely to happen.

There have been some youth signig for Arsenal, but first team signings are yet to be confirmed.

Jens Lehmann,Mathiu Flamini have left the club with Adebayor,Hleb soon to follow as some big clubs are helding talks with them.

Picture Exclusive - Carlos Vela Poses With Arsenal Shirt

Carlos Vela is posing with Arsenal T-shirts...
Picture you can see at
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/picture-exclusive-carlos-vela-poses-with-arsenal-shirt/

What about Clichy and Adebayor

Two outstanding players, two press releases that typify the commitment to Arsenal and love for Arsenal that both these players have. Two future Arsenal legends…? A captain and vice-captain duo in the making. Which brings us to the question of who is going to be Arsenal captain next season? And a question that needs to be answered with “not William Gallas”. More thoughts on the captaincy later, let’s revel in the press release of two of our brightest stars…

Gael Clichy has recently signed a 5 year contract to stay at the club, a reward for hard work and determination. Sterling performances which have catipulted the player into being described as the best left back in the world - the PFA left back of the year, a more than adequate replacement for the previous “Arsenal fan” left back… whom we need not talk about further…

When Roma and Juventus enquired about the young Frenchman, he didn’t even want to know about what they were offering… his statement shows his passion for the club:

I told my agents that I did not want to talk about anything because my goal was to stay at Arsenal. In my head it was always clear: I wanted to stay at Arsenal so I did not have to look any further or to wonder who wanted me.

Gael, you’ve won the hearts of many, a goal or two next season and you’re surely on the way to becoming an Arsenal legend. (By a goal or two, I mean the winner in the Champions League final, a volley against Real Madrid and a winner against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which sees us go 10 points clear with 5 games to go)….

And to top it all off, our darling Cesc Fabregas has launched an attack on former club Barcelona about they way they do there business. He’s an Arsenal man through and through isn’t he?

A club like Barcelona must respect a little more the intimacy of a club that never makes ‘noise’ and that tries to do things well like Arsenal.

In the last few weeks it’s come out that Barcelona want at least 7 players from Arsenal and this is not necessary. These things cast doubts on our players and upsets them.

Arsenal do things in a different way. Always in secret. This is much more normal.

Well, Cesc - that really is a sterling statement, especially considering your connection to the club in question. It proves that Cesc is a truly mature man who isn’t lured around by false carrots, but understands how football should be played and how clubs should be run. Future captain, no doubt.

I’ll leave you with those thoughts and let you have a happy day… more later, adios.

AC Milan wants Adebayor desperately !!

AC Milan legend George Weah has urged his former club to do everything possible to sign Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal.

The Serie A side and Spanish giants Barcelona have targeted the Togo striker, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last season of the Gunners.

Weah, a former European and world player of the year, was at Milan for five years and feels Adebayor would fit the bill at the San Siro.

“He’s a good player and if Milan contract him I think it’s a good thing,” said Weah.

“It’s a good thing for Milan because they need good players.

“He has good skills, he’s strong and he’s a good scorer. If Milan have the possibility to take him to AC Milan that’s a good deal for Milan.”

Weah has been in Vienna for Euro 2008 as an ambassador for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with officials insisting plans are on track for the tournament.

The 41-year-old feels African teams can make an impression in two years’ time.

“It’s not impossible for an African team to take the World Cup,” he said.

“It might be difficult but it’s a possibility because we saw at the last two World Cups African team were in a quarter-final and the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final is just three (steps).”

The total cost of Adebayor looks likely to amount to a transfer record for the world champions as they look to rebuild in the hope of a Scudetto challenge next term. Adebayor himself though, has already stated twice that his future is at the Emirates Stadium.

Adebayor’s triumphant return to Togo

Togo and Arsenal star Emmanuel Adebayor has just been on a “tour of hope” across West Africa to his homeland, where he was presented with the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for 2007. The BBC’s Farayi Mungazi travelled with him.

Emmanuel Adebayor with children at his former school
Adebayor was mobbed when he returned to his former school

Emmanuel Adebayor’s self-styled “tour of hope” that took him to Ghana and Togo left me with a different view of today’s professional footballer.

The Arsenal and Togo striker is not particularly showy.

For a man with little education, he projects himself with consummate ease and is unfailingly polite.

He reminded the cynic in me that not all professional footballers are arrogant millionaires with egos that match the size of their pay packets.

Due to his status as an African football icon, playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Adebayor is mobbed wherever he goes.

“I enjoy the attention because it shows that people love me for what I do,” the 2007 BBC African Footballer of the Year said, when asked about the non-stop adulation.

But, he says: “I’m a normal person; in the morning I clean my teeth like everyone else.”




Everywhere we went, Adebayor kept his childhood friends close, reminding him of the time he had nothing.

Household name

Adebayor may not yet be at his peak as a footballer, but the Togo captain is fast becoming one of the finest Africa has to offer.

The 24-year-old is now a household name; his meteoric rise aided by a string of scintillating displays for English Premier League side Arsenal.


Emmanuel Adebayor
I told myself that I only had one chance to survive and that was to be a footballer
Emmanuel Adebayor

In Ghana, where Adebayor went to school, some people wait years to see Otumfuo Osei Tutu II - a revered man and king of the most powerful and richest part of the country.

But Adebayor got an appointment within months, and was able to sweet-talk the palace into a second one after a no-show the previous day.

The audience with the football-loving king brought him to the heart of the Ashanti kingdom, about which his late father once told him stories.

Like most African stars in Europe, Adebayor was born and raised up in a desperately poor family, and his is a classic rags-to-riches tale to rival any other.

He grew up in a dilapidated house in a poor suburb of the Togolese capital, Lome.

His mother sold dried fish at the border with Ghana, earning barely enough to feed the family and buy the young Emmanuel his first pair of football boots.

The family was so poor that once he was left in hospital for seven days because his parents could not afford to pay for the treatment.

‘Hard work’

“I think a lot of people know me just on the pitch,” Adebayor says.

“They don’t know where I come from and they don’t know how I began.”

“I put in a lot of hard work to be where I am today, but I’ll never forget what it was like when I was young.

“Life was very difficult, and I told myself that I only had one chance to survive and that was to be a footballer.”

Emmanuel Adebayor
Adebayor did not have to wait long for an appointment with the king

Adebayor did not enjoy school, skipping classes to play football - though now, on his “tour of hope”, he encourages children to stick to their studies.

He sees it as his chance to give something back to Africa’s youth.

When he left Togo for France to embark on a professional career in 1999, not many would have foreseen that a football superstar had been unleashed.

“When I was going to Europe, I remember what my mother told me at the airport; she said: ‘Manu, you see where we’re living, you must go to France and do something good because we need your help.’”

He has now built her a huge, double-storey mansion in Lome, which is surrounded by shacks and run-down buildings.

But his mother has refused to move in, preferring to live with the friends who once knew her as the “Haton patchwork woman” - someone so poor that she could not afford a matching dress and headgear.

Nine years after launching his professional career, Adebayor speaks passionately about the need for him to inspire youngsters with a similar background to his.

“When I was growing up I had someone to help me, to give me something, and today I’m in a position to help others, so helping people is always a pleasure for me.”

African Perspective featuring Emmanuel Adebayor will be broadcast on the BBC World Service in Africa on Saturday. UK listeners can hear the programme on BBC Radio 4 at 2000 on Monday.

Arsenal and Silva-Ware

couple of weeks back telling people that this really is the Spanish player we should buy, not David Villa. Although David Villa is an outstanding player, he is also a player we do not need. David Silva, on the other hand, would an absolute gem of a signing.

He’s only 22, and he can play anywhere across the midfield or supporting the striker. If we sold Hleb and replaced him with Nasri and Silva, then I honestly think I would faint!!! We’ve already signed Aaron Ramsey and we’re close to signing Samir Nasri, while none of our competitors have made any major signings. I’m hoping this could be the start of a busy summer for Arsene Wenger. I’m sure it won’t be, but you never know.

The only downside of the David Silva news, is that is stems from The Sun. Have they ever been right about anything?

We could be looking at three Silva’s in our squad next season; David, Gilberto and Eduardo de. I’m sure there is a great pun in there somewhere but I’m too tired to even try. How many “Every cloud has Silva lining” puns will there be if he signs? BTW: I know my pun was diabolical, but it’s all I had in the locker.

samir nasri to arsenal - Almost done

Marseille chairman Pape Bouba Diouf has admitted that the notoriously long transfer saga of Samir Nasri to Arsenal is set to come to an end very soon, but revealed he would say no more until the move is complete.

Yesterday, 20-year-old Nasri announced that a move to the Gunners was signed and sealed on his personal website with Marseille quick to deny that any move was completed just yet.

Nasri’s agent Jean-Pierre Bernes also said the player’s announcement was “premature” and that discussions were ongoing between the two clubs.

Nasri made just two outings as a substitute at Euro 2008 as France were eliminated at the group stages.

He has spent the last four seasons with Marseille and came to prominence in France’s Under-17 European Championship side in 2004.

Young Guns on move from Arsenal

everal former Arsenal youngsters have moved on recently, including Fabrice Muamba who has joined Bolton from Birmingham City. As a result of that deal, Arsenal recieved money due to a sell-on clause in the player’s contract. Also, former Gunners trainee Guy Demel could be set for a big-money move to Newcastle to Hamburg. Finally, Steve Sidwell, who left the club for Reading in 2002, is on the verge of joining Aston Villa after the Midlands-based club agreed a fee with Chelsea. It just goes to show how Arsenal are good enough to produce players who can play for top Premier League clubs.

Ramsey kiks Man U over Arsenal

Cardiff City youngster Aaron Ramsey has reportedly chosen Arsenal over Manchester United. Ramsey a 17 year old prospect, viewed as the next big British player has signed a contract with Arsenal, and a announcement will likely be made within the next 2 or 3 days. 3 offers were accepted by Cardiff, 1 from Arsenal, 1 from Man U, and 1 from Everton. Ramsey quickly declined Everton, but wanted to choose between Man U and Arsenal. Man U sent Gary Neville to show Ramsey around the Man U home, while Arsenal had Ramsey and his family flown in a private jet to meet Arsene Wegner. Ramsey clearly prefered Arsenal and was guarenteed that he would not be loaned out, and he will learn how to play football the Arsenal way. Welcome to Arsenal Ramsey, glad you made the right choice.

Arsenal's Season fixtures

16/08/2008 Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
23/08/2008 Fulham v Arsenal
30/08/2008 Arsenal v Newcastle United
13/09/2008 Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal
20/09/2008 Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal
27/09/2008 Arsenal v Hull City
04/10/2008 Sunderland v Arsenal
18/10/2008 Arsenal v Everton
25/10/2008 West Ham United v Arsenal
28/10/2008 Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
01/11/2008 Stoke City v Arsenal
08/11/2008 Arsenal v Manchester United
15/11/2008 Arsenal v Aston Villa
22/11/2008 Manchester City v Arsenal
29/11/2008 Chelsea v Arsenal
06/12/2008 Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
13/12/2008 Middlesbrough v Arsenal
20/12/2008 Arsenal v Liverpool
26/12/2008 Aston Villa v Arsenal
28/12/2008 Arsenal v Portsmouth
10/01/2009 Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers
17/01/2009 Hull City v Arsenal
28/01/2009 Everton v Arsenal
31/01/2009 Arsenal v West Ham United
31/01/2009 Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic
07/02/2009 Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
21/02/2009 Arsenal v Sunderland
28/02/2009 Arsenal v Fulham
14/03/2009 Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers
21/03/2009 Newcastle United v Arsenal
04/04/2009 Arsenal v Manchester City
11/04/2009 Wigan Athletic v Arsenal
18/04/2009 Liverpool v Arsenal
25/04/2009 Arsenal v Middlesbrough
02/05/2009 Portsmouth v Arsenal
09/05/2009 Arsenal v Chelsea
16/05/2009 Manchester United v Arsenal
24/05/2009 Arsenal v Stoke City

Arsenal complete pre-season fixture list

I had previously thought that the annual pre-season training in Austria would not feature in our plans this summer, with a variety of fixtures already named. However, Arsenal.com have confirmed that we will play an Austian side this year, against a Burgenland XI team, along with the fantasically named Szombathelyi Haladas, who I can’t wait to see play purely based on their name.

For those who don’t know, Burgenland is a smallish region on the Austrian-Hungarian border. A notable team within the region Arsenal fans may recognise is SV Mattersburg, a team we played 2 years ago in pre-season, and beat 2-1. I presume that many players will be taken from Mattersburg’s team, as they have had good success this year in the Austrian Bundesliga. As for Szombathelyi Haladas, Gabor Kiraly, the crazy Hungarian goalkeeper, played for them at one stage, as well as Peter Halmosi, who currently plies his trade at Plymouth. Apparently they missed out on promotion last season for fielding inelligible players, and so stayed in N.B II last season. I would hazard a guess that they will not be stiff opposition for Arsenal, but will perhaps see the youths and reserves that Wenger decides to take with him get a chance to shine in front of Le Boss. The full pre-season fixture list is below:

Barnet Vs ARSENAL

Underhill Stadium, 19th July, 3pm

Szombathelyi Haladas Vs ARSENAL

Szombathelyi, July 22nd, TBC 6.30pm (CET)

Burgenland XI Vs ARSENAL

Ritzing, July 28th, TBC 6.30pm (CET)

Stuttgart Vs ARSENAL

Mercedez-Benz-Arena, July 30th, TBC K.O

ARSENAL Vs Juventus, Emirates Cup

Emirates Stadium, 2nd August, 4.15pm

ARSENAL Vs Real Madrid, Emirates Cup

Emirates Stadium, 3rd August, 4.15pm

Huddersfield Town Vs ARSENAL

Galpharm Stadium, 6th August, 7pm K.O

Ajax Vs ARSENAL, Amsterdam Tournament

Amsterdam ArenA, 8th August, 8.15pm

Sevilla Vs ARSENAL, Amsterdam Tournament

Amsterdam ArenA, 9th August, 6pm

Arsenal announces two more fixtrues before season

Arsenal have confirmed their participation in two further pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2008/09 campaign.

The Gunners will take on Hungarian side Szombathalyi Haladas and a Burgenland XI in Austria, both matches being played during the first team squad’s pre-season training preparations in Austria.

Szombathelyi Haladas v Arsenal
Tuesday 22nd July 2008
Kick-off 6.30pm (local time)
In Szombathelyi, Hungary.

Burgenland XI v Arsenal
Monday 28th July 2008
Kick-off 6.30pm (local time)
In Ritzing, Austria.

For those who don’t know, Burgenland is a smallish region on the Austrian-Hungarian border. A notable team within the region Arsenal fans may recognise is SV Mattersburg, a team we played 2 years ago in pre-season, and beat 2-1.

I presume that many players will be taken from Mattersburg’s team, as they have had good success this year in the Austrian Bundesliga. As for Szombathelyi Haladas, Gabor Kiraly, the crazy Hungarian goalkeeper, played for them at one stage, as well as Peter Halmosi, who currently plies his trade at Plymouth.

Apparently they missed out on promotion last season for fielding inelligible players, and so stayed in N.B II last season. I would hazard a guess that they will not be stiff opposition for Arsenal, but will perhaps see the youths and reserves that Wenger decides to take with him get a chance to shine in front of Le Boss.

The Full Pre-Season Fixture Round-Up:

Arsenal begin their pre-season campaign against Barnet on Saturday, July 19 in what is becoming a traditional fixture due to the two clubs’ ongoing relationship, with the Arsenal Reserves continuing to play our ‘home’ matches at Underhill.

After returning from the pre-season training camp in Austria and taking part in the fixtures against Szombathelyi Haladas and Burgenland XI, Arsenal will travel to the re-named Mercedez-Benz-Arena (previously named Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadium) to play VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday, July 30, ahead of the Emirates Cup.

The second Emirates Cup will take place over the weekend of August 2 and 3 with Emirates Stadium once again hosting the two-day summer tournament. Joining the Gunners will be Spanish giants Real Madrid C.F, Serie A heavyweights Juventus FC and Bundesliga side HSV Hamburg.

Arsenal’s seventh pre-season fixture is against Huddersfield Town on August 6, and will mark the contribution made towards both clubs by legendary manager Herbert Chapman, as well as commemorating Huddersfield Town’s centenary year. Arsenal will play the West Yorkshire team at The Galpharm Stadium.

The pre-season fixtures will conclude with Arsenal returning to the Dutch capital to defend their trophy won in last year’s Amsterdam Tournament. Arsenal will face Ajax on Friday, August 8 and Sevilla on Saturday, August 9. Inter Milan completes the quartet of teams involved in the tournament this year, as well as commemorating Huddersfield Town’s centenary year. Arsenal will play the West Yorkshire team at The Galpharm Stadium.

Arsenal beat Fulham (Under 16)

Arsenal’s Under 16s strolled past Fulham at London Colony on Saturday Morning.

Arsenal lined up with a strong side, including Emmanuel Frimpong in midfield, Jonas Rasmussen and Chuks Aneke also started, and Cedric Evina partnered Leading scorer Benik Afobe in attack.

All of the big names for Arsenal Got on the score sheet, Frimpong, Evina, and Afobe all netting to give Arsenal all 3 points.

Arsenal Recall Pedro Botelho For Pre-Season Training

Pedro Botelho has broken his silence on his switch to Arsenal, while also admitting he is still ‘left in the dark’ about where he will be playing his football next term. Pedro spoke to Salamanca daily “El Adelanto” and courtesy of our friends at Hala Union forums, we can bring you a transcript of what the Brazilian said.

He talked openly about subjects such as:

* Reports That He Wants To Leave Salamanca
* His Plans For Next Season
* His Tough Start At Salamanca & How Is Development Is Progressing
* The Long Bus Rides To Fixtures
* Returning To Arsenal For Pre-Season
* The Possibility Of Playing For A La Liga Club Next Season

The player affectionately nicknamed “Pedrinho” has currently ended his year long loan spell with UD Salamanca, and with claims in the Spanish press that he demanded to leave due to a lack of playing time, the 18 year old wanted to put the record straight.

“I do not know anything about this [laughs]” “I would like to continue here in Salamanca because I already know the city, the club, and I have developed some good companions”

“I do not have anything fixed for next year, I have to speak with my representative to see what is the best for me and for the Arsenal”.

“I am only 18 years old, and I do not want to have that to adapt to another country or another city right now”

Pedro went on to talk about the difficult season for him, and spoke about the hardship with having to break into a team which had already gelled in time for his arrival.

“When you have to debut in January, its very complicated. I have lost a lot of time, and i could only watch on as the team improved and became very compact. The boss gave all his confidence to the ones that they were doing it well, and that put me in a difficult situation.”

Slowly he managed to force his way into the team, putting in several impressive performances and endearing himself to the fans. The incredibly like-able youngster proclaims he is developing well in Spain, but there are some things he does not enjoy about life with Salamanca.

“I have learned a lot here, i learn every day. I have been playing barely two years [As a professional], I carry very little experience. But I am going to continue learning, I am very young. remember that I am only 18 years old!”

“I expected slightly more glamour and less hours travelling on the bus! [More laughing]. You believe that I have passed some time in my life, but 10 hours travelling in a bus?. Never. In Brazil we are poor, but these trips are done in an airoplane. [Cannot stop laughing].

After all the talk of Salamanca and his development, attention was quickly turned to life at Arsenal. Whilst being contracted to one of the biggest clubs in the world, the Brazilian could be forgiven for already thinking ahead to his return. But once more he keeps level headed about everything, and admits his learning process will be better served in Spain.

“I am going to remain one more year in Spain. Later I will begin to think about putting on the red and white shirt. Now I am going to spend three weeks in Brazil [With his family] and then I return to England. On July 7 I have to be in London for training and the on the 21st maybe I have to return to Salamanca. Who knows?”

The interview was concluded with him being asked if he will follow the route Carlos Vela took, and play next campaign in La Liga. Once more Pedro left the possibility open, refusing to rule anything out.

“Yes, sure that can happen [laughs]. They is many options open: to go to First, or to Second… I simply do not know!.

Salamanca fans have described his playing style as “individualistic”, as he has confidence in himself, and loves to take people on. At 188cm he breaks the mould of most giant players, because his best qualities are ball control, and electric speed.