Emmanuel Adebayor... has the backing of his manager

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Saturday, August 30, 2008, 17:30

Wenger - Ade only made public relation error

By Richard Clarke

If Emmanuel Adebayor has any problems right now they are in his public relations rather than his contribution at Arsenal, according to Arsène Wenger.

The Togolese striker has had a mixed reaction from a minority fans this season after summer speculation suggested he could be leaving Emirates Stadium.

For his part, Wenger believes Adebayor actually deserves credit for staying. Both manager and player have admitted that bigger money lay away from North London.

“His transfer saga - and the fact he was wanted by all the clubs in Europe - was not down to him,” said Wenger at Friday’s press conference. “It was down to his performances. In the end he chose to stay here so why should it turn against him?

“We have to be realistic. When a player like that is wanted, it is as well an honour for Arsenal. The fact that he has decided to stay is an honour as well. And the fact that he made financial sacrifices is  an honour again.

“If he made some mistakes, they were PR mistakes maybe. But I like it when a football player is not ‘PR’ because, when they are, they always have the right behaviour outside and the wrong inside. I prefer the reverse situation.

“In Adebayor's case, he made maybe a little PR mistake. But, for what is really important - the way he practised, the way he worked, the way he behaved on a daily basis – it is credit to him. And I think we have to be intelligent enough, the fans as well, to support him.

“Yes, some of them [have reacted]. But I think the majority are behind him.

“Here we have a story that has been manipulated against him by the media. But if you look at just the facts, and I have dealt with many players face-to-face on this, there is also a lot of credit [due] because he has always said to me he wants to stay. But of course if you can earn £10 here and £130 there, you are ready to stay for £60 but not for £10.”

[Friday, August 29, 2008]

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