As I mentioned before, I’m done with the team’s performances this season, and I’m not going to talk too much about the nil-all United love-in at Old Trafford which just happened, except to grudgingly concede Alex Ferguson’s achievement. As we saw so painfully over the last few weeks, they’re a cracking team, with the mixture of grit and flair we’ve yet to find. Obviously they’re all still a pack of cunnies, but there you are.
But back to non-playing Arsenal news, and Adebayor’s here, giving an interview to Football Focus that does nothing to reassure anyone about his commitment to the club. Aside from nonsensically denying the AC Milan stories (“if Milan come for Adebayor, it’s not Adebayor’s fault”) that have enraged everyone, he then says that the fans have disappointed him with their booing and lack of singing his song. I must say that Garth Crooks’ subtly antagonistic, patronising style of interviewing (“do you like it when they sing your song?”) is completely infantilising, and proof if any was needed that racism doesn’t have to be about skin colour.
Speaking about his season, Adebayor seems to suggest that it was the fans’ attitude, and not his lackadaisical idleness in front of goal and flirting with Milan, that caused them to turn on him. What crap. If the man wants a future at Arsenal he needs to grow up. Even without any signings next season with Bendtner a year older, Vela chomping at the bit, Walcott keen to move central, Arshavin looking dangerous wherever and Van Persie an automatic starter he’s going to have his work cut out for a place.
It seems increasingly unlikely he’ll be here. Would anyone really miss him?
Don’t forget about the Philosophy Football dinner listed below. Should be a great night, and a pleasant end to a season which has otherwise been a bit ugly…
May 16th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Well, I wouldn’t say that he’s absolutely essential. I will say that I feel that a lot of fans have been harsh on him this season, and sometimes unfairly, perhaps as a scapegoat. Yes, he nearly left for Milan, but he ended up staying and was committed. Honestly, what’s the difference between him and Flamini apart from Flam leaving? They both had amazing seasons, singularly so, compared to previous performances and wanted to go to a bigger club. Flamini even left on a free whereas at least Ade would’ve left a pretty big fee.
Having said that, he has appeared lazy in front of goal and to some extent, perhaps he does deserve some criticism. But I also think that he has been isolated up front this season as he didn’t usually have a strike partner, and despite having the physique, he really cannot play the lone forward role well. Not to take anything away from his ability, he just feeds off a partner.
All I’m saying is, as long as he’s committed, support him. Look at what the support did for Eboue since the Wigan game. It’s almost unbelievable; the difference in confidence and performances. He’s come miles since that ill-fated day. Maybe Ade will rediscover last season’s form if he gets people behind him.
May 16th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
just watched the football focus interview. i dont disagree with ade too much. booing our players hasnt help the player or the rest of the team. fans have been shit this season when things went bad. when liverpool are losing, or even have lost, anfield is usually always rocking with the walk alone anthem. we are great when the team plays good, but when the team are shit, we make them worse by being shit fans
May 16th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Sell da idiot to milan or chelsea. He’s rude n even admitted he plays 4 money,not winning. Use da cash to buy alonso n babel.
May 16th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Ade has not been lucky this year. It wasnt his fault Milan wanted him. I think the fans should have been fairer to him. Last season, he had flamini who was a holding midfielder pairing with Cesc, getting supplies from the mid and sides. This season, Cesc and Denilson (entire mid) had to support the back four especially at the periods of injuiries and make shift back four. Ade might be different if the midfield is stable and functioning properly. Isolating him hasnt helped him. Well, selling him will raise funds but we should recognise there could be injuiries and handy replacements is important. I think, nobody should leave though there is need to add a few. we should also remember that the bench is an important part of the team as matches are sometimes won from the bench.
May 16th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
any one that writes “sell da idiot” is an idiot !!
May 16th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
What fans get riled up about is when players at Arsenal flirt with other clubs and imply that they are bigger clubs than Arsenal. When Ade says that being the interest of Milan is like being with Beyonce then it’s an insult to the club and belittles the club’s stature. It shows you have no respect for the club. A proper Arsenal player would outright deny any consideration rather than appear to be loyal to the club while peeping at the competition out of the corner of their eye. If a club wants to drop 20M or 30M or whatever it is his asking price is nowadays then be my guest. He’s come up with some good goals this season but has also looked uninterested in big games. When I see Drogba or Rooney tracking all the way back to defense for their club and running their socks off while Ade takes an afternoon stroll around the middle of the park then I know he just doesn’t care and doesn’t have the heart for the team. He could no doubt develop into a good striker but he’s not bigger than the club and his attitude is a plague to the team. He talks about wanting to end the trophy drought and then disappears from the games that matter against opponents that matter. Eboue took the booing and was determined to make himself better. Ade takes the booing and just bitches and moans to the press. See the difference?
May 16th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
his time is up !!! get him out of the club because he typifies everything that is wrong about arsenal at the moment. Take the money and use it to buy a striker who can actually score and not sulk his way through the season.
May 16th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Ade is a C***. 4 million quid of our cash! Bastard. Wenger and all the players can leave except Sagna, Arshavin, RVP, Theo, Eduardo and Nasri
May 16th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
adebayor has been injured and struggled for fitness no one has created anything for him this season and he does not play well with van persie so stop slagging him off i know he almost moved to milan and showed disrespect but did man u fans boo ronaldo at thetart of the season for his love against madrid.NO WE NEED HIM HE IS WORLD CLASS.
May 16th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
i agree that ade has been scapegoated. i certainly feel he was better in the champions leagues semis than cesc was, and he is supposed to be our captain. He is our most talented striker and if were honest he wont be properly replaced if he leaves so def keep hold of him-he is clearly a player with ego and when that ego is properly massaged he plays well. I reckon we should give him another chance (and not as a lone striker-ridiculous idea)
on another note surely it is up to wenger to let ade know the situation and put him in his place. How do so many of our players have such freedom to speak rubbish to the press all the time? perhaps why he sticks to kids-not yet got the mature attitude that he cant deal with a la gallas, lehmann and ade
May 16th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I’m a bit worried about what effect another big player leaving will have on the likes of RVP, and particularly Fabregas. Further encouragement to leave?
May 17th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Keep Ade – he is a diamond in the rough at the moment. Keep him in a dream team:
GK: Almunia
DR: Sagna
DL: Clichy
DC: Toure
DC: Bassong
MR: Arshavin
ML: Eduardo
DMC: Toure
AMC: Fabregas
CF: Adebayor
CF: Van Persie
May 17th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Skatman have you gone soft?
Eddie on the left wing? No.
Yaya Toure? No.
Adebayor? No.
May 17th, 2009 at 11:12 am
ARSENAL FANS R SHAMEFUL
Eeryone was telling Wenger to sell Gallas all season and now he’s everyones favourite defender.
Eboue got boooed for playing in CENTRAL-MID when coming back frm INJURY.
Adebayor playing alone upfront vs 3 defenders to score 30goals with no support.
What you need to ask is WHY wenger plays so many players OUT OF POSITION(nasri playing defensive mid,eboue cm,SILVESTRE PLAYING).
May 17th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
IBBS dont forget walcott (st) on the wing,gibbs (LM) at left back, arshavin (AMC) on the wing, song (CB) at DM, and nikki b frequently on the wing
we need continuity and none of the players should be allowed to leave (bar silvestre for sakho and senderos can be made permanent)-they should be told not to say a word to the press and focus on the season ahead-it will be the most important season in recent arsenal history and could define the success/failure of ‘project youth’ while also telling the likes of cesc/rvp if they should leave or not.
bring in what has been talked about for so long (CB+DMF-probs bassong and alonso) and then get on with preparations
May 18th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Probably absolute piffle – I almost hope that it is as we have already stated that we are going for age before beauty. We have been linked with Sakho (PSG–DC): http://www.tribalfootball.com/arsenal-favourites-land-psg-youngster-sakho-245323