Adebayor accepts Arsenal offer
Friday, January 13, 2006
Article summary
Arsenal FC have acquired the services of promising young Togolese international striker Emmanuel Adebayor from AS Monaco FC for an undisclosed fee.
Article body
'Different qualities'
The 21-year-old, who will represent his country at the African Cup of Nations starting on 20 January, was excluded from the Monaco squad on Wednesday after repeatedly missing training. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has nevertheless been a long-standing admirer of Adebayor, saying: "He has qualities we don't have in the side. He is tall, good in the air and makes good runs. He plays a bit like [former Arsenal striker Nwankwo] Kanu but gets in behind defenders more."
Consistent performer
Adebayor, who has scored eleven goals in 13 appearances for Togo and helped his nation reach this year's FIFA World Cup finals, began his European career with FC Metz, registering 15 goals in 44 Ligue 1 games before moving to Monaco in August 2003 in a €3.2m deal. His first two seasons in the principality brought eight and nine goals respectively, but he has struggled this campaign, finding the net only once in the league although he struck three times in the UEFA Cup.
