Adebayor: Arsenal fans hold their breath…
Add comment July 16th, 2009
One can’t help but feel that all Arsenal news is on hold until Emmanuel Adebayor completes his move to Manchester City. Whilst he was granted a work permit to change employers yesterday, stories in the press suggest the player has asked for more time to mull over a move to a non-Champions League club.
I’m sure he’ll go in the end. He’s not happy at Arsenal and I can’t see another club matching City’s bid, whoever his agents might approach. He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place – but it must be some consolation that the hard place will play him about £150,000 p/week.
Once Adebayor goes it’ll all kick-off – we’ll be linked with every unheard of French-speaking striker under the sun. Whilst Marouane Chamakh is the early favourite, we may not bring in a striker at all – though that, I believe, is a conversation for another day. On the subject of signings, Brazilian midfield target Felipe Melo has made his move to Juventus official.
Yesterday I bought myself a ticket for our first pre-season friendly: the annual jaunt at Underhill, home to Barnet FC. The club have suggested some of the players who might be available, and it’d be particularly strange to see Tomas Rosicky and Philippe Senderos in an Arsenal shirt, for varying reasons. Indeed, Senderos is a demonstration of the fact that Adebayor might not be the only squad member to depart before the season begins.
Finally today, I just want to congratulate Robin van Persie on being voted the club’s official Player of the Season, and on a more sombre note to send my best to John Hartson and his family. Hartson occasionally divided opinion as a player but I’m sure everyone is backing him in his battle against ill-health.
Come back tomorrow to see if we still have that Togolese fella.
