When in July it was announced that Arsenal agreed to sell two of its star men - Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Ivorian defender Kolo Toure to Manchester City − a key rival to compete for a “top-four” spot − many Gunners fans felt like “kissing goodbye” to the Champions League next season. For a young team that is maturing, this really did not seem to be a smart move …
The first two game-weeks, however, it did not look like the Gunners were going to face any scoring problems now that Adebayor was gone: A 1-6 win at Goodison Park, a 4-1 win over Portsmouth and a 5-1 on aggregate over Celtic in the CL qualifier … Arsene Wenger was being more than “cherished” for his decisions by all football “authorities” … all of a sudden …
Even Sir Alex Ferguson just before game-week three (against Manchester United) admitted that Arsene Wenger knew exactly what he was doing: “In all my time at Manchester United, I can't remember anyone doing that (1-6) at Goodison Park before,” he said, indicating that one thing Wenger has done fantastically well is to sell at the right time. "He has always known the right time for a player to leave and he has done it again with Adebayor and Toure. It is not easy to manage that kind of change but I do not think the level of ability has changed one bit and he seems to have a good harmony in the squad." …
Yet, a 2-1 defeat against ManU at Old Trafford that week − thanks to a Wayne Rooney controversial second-half penalty, an Andrey Arshavin penalty claim denial earlier, a Diaby own-goal, an equalizer by Robin van Persie being ruled out for offside against William Gallas, and a Wenger send-off to the stands by “sparkling” referee Mike Dean − was sufficient “material” for speculations about Arsene Wenger’s transfer decisions by the same “authorities” … all of a sudden …
The case of Adebayor goes far back into the previous transfer season: As much as he protested his innocence from time to time, everybody knows how he courted a move to AC Milan a summer ago, announcing his desire to leave Arsenal and play for “one of the biggest clubs in the world.” However, the move to Italy never took place and Adebayor returned to a very “different” dressing room for another season at Arsenal, becoming a target for the fans, and a problem for Wenger − especially after he admitted that he had lost faith in the club and was getting lazier from week to week … − he scored ten goals throughout the whole 08/09 season, compared to twenty-four the year before…
But instead of keeping his head down and focusing on paying back the faith that Arsenal put in him in the earlier two seasons, his ego raised and his performance dropped over time. He was being criticized for a perceived lack of commitment, creativity and flexibility, and after a while, as you can predict, the fans turned on him because there was no loyalty from him anymore. Add to that a public clash with Nicklas Bendtner during a Carling Cup match. Much to Adebayor's frustration, Bendtner's popularity inside the dressing room climbed at a time when his own began to fall. Over time, Bendtner endeared himself to team-mates who indeed preferred him to the guy who could not wait to “ditch” them for “one of the biggest clubs in the world!”
Adebayor started to become a more troublesome influence and by the end of last season Arsene Wenger was left in no doubt that Adebayor needed to move. Naturally, the pain of being rejected hurt … add to that the frustration of being forced to leave a team of which Bendtner is now very much part of …
Moving to Manchester City was like “escaping a bad relationship” which Adebayor had with Arsenal. … "Their hate for me is the thing that will stay in my heart, not until the end of my career, but until the end of my life," a self-dramatizing Emmanuel Adebayor declared just before game-week four, when he faced his former club. His mission was “payback!”, and his decision was to go to “war” with them …!
After tackling his former teammate, Robin van Persie felt the force of Emmanuel Adebayor’s kick in the face! … leaving him with a cut … At the end of the game Adebayor insisted he did not mean to kick(!) van Persie … but anyone who has played football would strongly disagree!
After scoring Manchester City's third goal, he knee-slighted towards the ranks of Arsenal supporters ... not to forget is that he actually raced the length of the pitch to do that! …with an out-of-control behavior … causing Gunners fans to react violently – being kept under control by police and stewards … leaving one of the stewards unconscious …!
Mission Completed! – Bravo Adebayor !!!
The conclusion:
"Under the fast-track disciplinary process, Adebayor has been charged with violent conduct following an incident with Robin van Persie, which resulted in the Arsenal player receiving facial injuries," the FA noted in a statement. "Referee Mark Clattenburg has advised the FA that he did not see this incident, but has confirmed that had he done so, he would have sent Adebayor off for violent conduct." In addition, “Adebayor was charged with improper conduct following his goal celebration.”
The outcome:
Emmanuel Adebayor is facing a lengthy suspension after being charged with violent conduct and improper conduct by the Football Association following his irresponsible behavior. He was charged by with violent conduct for his stamp on Robin van Persie and banned for three matches, with the FA viewing the incident as a red card offence. He also faces a list of other disciplinary action: The FA announced its decision to investigate a potential improper conduct charge relating to the same player's incitement of crowd trouble … And, if the FA chooses to punish a second stamping incident involving Cesc Fabregas, Adebayor's ban could increase to four games. With the two charges and the prospect of further action over his celebration, Adebayor could face a five match ban in total. But that is not the end of his punishment … the Manchester City disciplinary book will be thrown at Adebayor – which looks like a fine of £200,000 !
Was it a good decision to sell Adebayor? YES it was!
… It is Arsene Wenger who sold Adebayor, and not Mark Hughes who bought him, who should be grinning with relief... and it is Mark Hughes who will miss £100 million worth of strikers aginst ManU with Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz injured, Tevez battling to be fit and Adebayor banned for his behavior ... leaving him with one option: Craig Bellamy ...!
