Bye bye, grow up and good luck Adebayor!

Emmanuel Adebayor leaves Arsenal at only 25, some distance from his prime. He didn't inspire Arsenal, didn't win any trophies and didn't commit wholeheartedly to the club. So it is difficult to respectfully bid him farewell but I will try.

For a few months now, we have all expected Ade to leave. Because these months also included very difficult moments of a difficult season, his presence has been a cause for more frustration than appreciation, even when he scored. It must have been somewhat as difficult for him as it was for the fans. I cannot afford him as much sympathy as I do the fans because he was the only person who could have corrected the difficulty but did not seem to want to do so by showing commitment in the last part of the season like Flamini did when he knew he was going to leave. Flamini played for Arsenal till his last minute with total commitment.

Ade arrived at Arsenal in January 2006. He had a lousy first touch for a striker but since Henry was there, the team did not have to rely on him and the fans gave him time to grow. The season before last, that patience seemed to have paid off when he scored 30 goals. His touch had improved a little but his determination was significantly higher. That determination along with his physical presence was what got him those goals – no small thanks to Cesc's long passing. As Wenger once put it "It is difficult for opposition defenders to keep him quiet for 90 mins". The fans, his team mates and the boss were very pleased with his contribution and valued him highly.

In his first season, Henry was the boss – nobody was bigger than Henry. In the second season, Cesc was the new king. Then Ade fought himself to the top with an excellent goalscoring record and won African Player of the year along with other accolades from opponents. He crowned himself the new king and it all got to his head.

History was about to repeat itself. Ade was about to get too big for his boots just as he did at Monaco and does with the Togolese national team where he is forever disrupting and undermining the authority of his managers. He was so arrogant that he head-butted his own player when he came on as a sub and allegedly suggested he had come in because the striker on the pitch was crap. That arrogance was not as heavily punished by the boss as I would have liked. That player that Ade insulted scored only 2 goals less than Ade last season and I hope will one day beat all Ade's goal scoring and trophy records at Arsenal.

Ade used the summer of 2008 to further annoy fans and management about leaving, precisely at the time when the fans were anxious about the exit of Flamini and Hleb. He got a big contract in 2008 and then lost all motivation and fight and forgot he was sportsman that was required to work hard for his pay.

Ade has scored two wonderful goals that I remember and has played two great games. But in an Arsenal career of just three years, the negative influence, countless annoying offsides, no-shows, donkey misses and total lack of commitment unfortunately remain far more memorable.

I welcome his exit but I regret it too. I regret the fact that he didn't have the discipline to exploit an opportunity to achieve great potential at a great club like Arsenal for a great manager who believed in him. I regret his personality is still destructive even after being given the chance to work in a great atmosphere. I regret that we lost a player who is about 18 months from his prime and clearly showed evidence that the potential could be immense. I regret that he wasted somebody else chance at Arsenal and that his previous season caused the team to focus on exploiting his strengths this season instead of that of Bendtner's or Vela's and he wasted that focus on him by being so unmotivated that he was always standing offside. While it is good to remove a player who is not a good influence, it is always sad to let go of a player with potential due to his attitude.

Football is just a game. It doesn't feel like that during the season when it feels like life itself depends on it. But during the summer, I can afford to stand back and realise that it is humans involved. As a result, the most human thing to do is to wish Ade the best. He will not do to Hughes what he did to Wenger – at least not immediately – so I expect he will be successful in his first year at Manchester City.

Manchester City are owned by billionaires and it is clear that that is the life Ade wants. He is a bling bling guy who wants to date Beyonce and talk to football moguls on his mobile phone. He will want to get pally with the billionaires and go to Brazil and Madrid to party with Robinho so he can get introduced to Kaka or Ronaldinho. If Ade was a girl, he would be a tacky football WAG desperate to score with any player. He earns bigger now so he can do more and that could be the curse of him. I really hope it isn't and I hope he doesn't habour any plans to run for president in Togo sometime soon. I wouldn't put it past him.

Good luck Ade. Keep your head down. You represent a lot of people from Togo and they are proud of you up to now. You are their biggest export after Cotton. Don't let them down. You also represent yourself and football. Don't screw it.

User Comments

Gil

Posted on 22 Jul, 2009 at 03:57 PM - Reply

It would be nice to let sleeping dogs lie if only these players didn't treat the club like it's a stepping stone to bigger things.

Addisu

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 09:57 AM - Reply

I think all Arsenal fans are confused. You have manager that always sells but don't buy. But I don't think it is fair to insult a country, Togo may not be rich like England, so what I say is that you can comment about a player but I don't think it is nice to undermine the peoples of Togo.

Teddie

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 10:32 PM - Reply

All we do is sell all our good players, who knows who will go next. Fabregas, Kolo, Arshavin, will all leave soon as it is now the trend here. We let players go every year and we spread our hope on youths that plays beautiful football and no trophy experience!

Ilyaas

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 09:57 PM - Reply

Why are some people in here, responding this article like it is funeral

Wayne Millar

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 09:30 PM - Reply

At last hes gone!!!!
arsenal dont need a play like him, he's made it clear he's not dedicated for the love of the game but for money no matter what he says.
We have 25 million now, i'd personal like arteta think we would manage to nab him for 15million.
And for a replacement for adebayor id like to see us go for an out and out goalscorer, and for me thats Klose! i think we could use 10 million and some more funds from club and nab him for about the same money

keeman

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 06:17 PM - Reply

I have expected him to leave, he barely contribute for the team last season. I think Wenger should really invest on another striker or turn Walcott up front.

Kaymax

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 03:37 PM - Reply

Ade is gone.But from a different perspective,we fans want total commitment from our players which is good.I would love Arsenal to review the wages of the players.Not necessarily to compete with the likes of chelsea and Manchester but to make Arsenal attractive .What if fabregas wants to leave,we would call him names and forget about his immense contribution to the club.

Babs

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 02:02 PM - Reply

You folks accuse Ade of lacking class and then go ahead to expose your lack of class, even after the guy has left Arsenal you won't let sleeping dogs lie. As for me, I accept what the manager said about him because only Arsene and his team mates know what Ade is really about. You folks can write all you like, his future is still ahead of him and its up to him to make of it what he will.

shashank

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 12:11 PM - Reply

well said man....very nice

simon_84

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 09:47 AM - Reply

looks like is all about the money for ade...happy to see him go!

sabahan arsenal

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 04:12 AM - Reply

im happy now that he gone,arsenal can concenrate on someone else.but please get huntelaar for replacement

rosicky and edu is good enough but is the get injured again (which i hope not), that gonna be the main reason we go through another season without trophy

Kwaku

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 03:20 AM - Reply

Hi Master Chie!
Do you think you have a possibility to just talk bad about a player who dedicates himself wholy to a club like Arsenal whose only motivation is to get rich over the players sacrifices without letting them taste the fruit of their labor. I would wish Ade departure last year, it should have been better for him because you a HUMAN but you don't have Human common sense. Yes Togo export Cotton and you guys have over centuries imported slaves that built your stadiums and you are enjoying it elaxed. Do you know you are cursing Arsenal with a greedy manager. YOU WILL SEE NOW HOW THE MAN OF ADEBAYOR IN THE MIRROR IS LIKE.... JUST WAIT AND SEE. THE TRUTH IS ADEBAYOR STANDS FOR JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY YOU GUYS DENY HIM. COMPARE HIS SEASON WITH FABREGAS OR RONALDO OR THOSE.....WHAT THE HELL IS THE DIFFERENCE!!!
CHUUUUANNN VAS TE MIRRER UN PEU!

me

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 12:59 AM - Reply

I don't mind your opinion about ade, but don't go insulting the Togolese because ade missrepresented his country.
you know he has potential and could make Arsenal regret this decision tenfold.

Dee

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 12:59 AM - Reply

Well said!!

Robert

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 12:58 AM - Reply

Nice objective view on the whole adebayor saga. Adebayor is a great talent, and I have admired his on-field performances.
I guess this was the best thing to do. He could have made his own legacy by proving the naysayers wrong , but instead his big head doesn't allow for any criticism so he just throws in the towel when things don't go his way..
Hope his Ego doesn't ruin his career.

jon sinfield

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 12:44 AM - Reply

i agree 100% just spend it wisely and get a great centre midfielder

john quinn

Posted on 19 Jul, 2009 at 12:15 AM - Reply

REALLY WELL SAID THANK YOU

steve

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 11:46 PM - Reply

There were times during games that ade completly got lost and wasnt sighted , his first touches are still poor,we just hope this season Bentdner is as strong as Ade then we will see him reach his full potential. then it wont be a great loss really .

Jeff

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 11:16 PM - Reply

Whats the betting he 'does his hamstring' while he's out in S. Africa with City and has to spend a couple of months recuperating in Togo.

Femi

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 11:04 PM - Reply

Great Article. Summed it all up! God bless you sir in Jesus' mighty name.

Dee

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:54 PM - Reply

Wow! Hats off to you for this wonderful post, I like how you took it.... I was boiling before because personally I never wanted him to leave, but now all I can do is to wish him all the best... Either good or bad, players will always come and go but ARSENAL F.C will always remains... I am looking forward to the new campaign.

Said

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:45 PM - Reply

good article.. well written, I'm sad to see him go since I've always liked him in a way, but unfortunately his commitment weren't where it supposed to be and for that I think we needed to let him go.. It's a shame because in a club like Arsenal you'd think that nobody would lack of commitment.

stonroy

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:36 PM - Reply

Great post!I don't say that too often, but it was an intelligent unbiased point of view. You were able to look beyond the tabloid taint and get to the heart of the good but not great player. Thanks for that.

Graham

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:35 PM - Reply

An interesting and balanced article that contains nothing I would take issue with. Getting somewhere near the £25 million quoted to make a significant profit on a player whose attitude, commitment and dedication leave plenty to be desired surely represents an astute piece of business on Wenger's behalf. Removing Ade and his inflated ego from the equation can only boost morale while providing an opportunity for others to stake a serious claim. Regardless of who else may arrive, I personally believe Bendtner will start to really come of age this season.

jojo star

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:20 PM - Reply

bendter is just as wasteful as ade, get rid of both and find someone who can finish the chances given to them

saheed

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:18 PM - Reply

well said,he allowed the little success he had get into his head,the thing about this kind of attitude is that it will always rear its head again.Thank for the objective post

scott

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:17 PM - Reply

i think i hate him more than ashley cole....another example of an average player playin in a great team thinking hes the best in the world...well...he will not acheive this at man city....they should of spent the money on a midfielder or defender

Steero

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:16 PM - Reply

How can you wish him good luck, he is everything that is wrong with football (pure greed), he was like a cancer in the dressing room.

I know for a fact when Song sign his extension to his current contract last year Ade was getting involved and it got very messy. I'm glad we have seen the back of him.

SESSI

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:16 PM - Reply

Just to say that Togo don't have Cotton as biggest expert, by Phos

Danish Gooner

Posted on 18 Jul, 2009 at 10:05 PM - Reply

His personality is flawed so give it 12 months and he will be acting like a spoiled petulant child.

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