World News'Don't Carry On At Emmanuel' |
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has called for the club's fans to get behind striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who has ended speculation over his future by signing and new contract.
The Togo international, scorer of 30 goals last season, was the subject of fevered transfer gossip during the summer, with AC Milan and Barcelona both showing a strong interest in the £35million-rated striker.However, the 24-year-old, plucked from Monaco in January 2006, announced on the eve of the new campaign he would be staying with the Gunners after agreeing terms on an improved deal - reported to be worth around £80,000 a week - which has now been sealed and is set to tie the striker to Arsenal until at least 2012.
Adebayor had received something of a mixed reception from certain sections of the Gunners faithful on his return to action - most noticeably at the start of the Emirates Cup earlier this month.
The boo-boys again let their feelings be known at times in the opening match of the Barclays Premier League season against West Brom on Saturday.
However, Wenger sees no reason why the striker should not receive the full backing of everyone.
He said: "We have to get behind him and support him because he is a tremendous force and (is of) tremendous importance for the team - you want your own fans to be behind him.
"What happened in the transfer period did not always reflect his deep desire and there was manipulation from agents on both sides, but overall I am positive he will recover."
Wenger added: "Every player needs to feel wanted.
"I think he is settled in his own mind. He has given a lot in the first two games."
Arsenal travel to Fulham on Saturday for another televised encounter, this time in the late afternoon slot, but will once again be without Cesc Fabregas, who has a hamstring problem and is expected back for the second leg of the Gunners' Champions League qualifier against FC Twente on August 27.
Wenger is still searching for at least one new body to add to his midfield before the transfer windows closes in two weeks.
Suggested targets include Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and also Gareth Barry, of Aston Villa.
However, with both now being cup-tied for Europe until January, the Arsenal manager may again instead look overseas, with Udinese's £8million-rated Switzerland international Gokhan Inler another on the radar of the Arsenal boss.
Captain William Gallas, though, believes Wenger's investment in youth will prove successful, with summer recruit Samir Nasri scoring the winning goal on his debut against the Baggies.
He said: "We are a young side and some more promising youngsters have come through for this season, but they have all got the quality which you need to have if you play for Arsenal.
"If you play at this club you must be ready to play at the very highest level."
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
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