What really happened with Adebayor, Arsenal and Manchester City? | OneFootball

Last year, Emmanuel Adebayor gave his version of how things unfolded at Arsenal but he left some key elements out to make himself look better and, as he announces his retirement, I thought it a good time to look back at that.

In 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor moved from the Gunners to City, reportedly chasing a salary increase.

In 2022, he said (again) that the move only came about because Arsene Wenger told him he was no longer wanted, which is true, but only half the story.

The untold story behind Adebayor’s departure from Arsenal

In John Smith’s excellent and revealing book, The Deal: Inside the World of a Super-Agent, he explains it wasn’t quite as simple as that.

According to the agent, Adebayor originally responded positively to the idea of a transfer to City.

He said that “everything would need to be right” to leave Arsenal, where he was happy, but Smith took that to mean he just wanted more money.

Abu Dhabi United Group had just bought City, and their influx of cash meant they could afford to pay. The longer things went on, though, the more Adebayor seemed to change his mind.

His financial demands kept going up, and he seemed to want to stay at Arsenal after all.

Wenger’s role in Adebayor’s move to Manchester City

At that point, Arsene Wenger reportedly “put his arm around Manny and politely but firmly told him that the bridge has basically been crossed now”.

The manager told the striker he could stay, but he might end up in the reserves if he did.

With that, the two clubs finalised a deal and Adebayor joined City.

Adebayor’s version of events: comparing 2018 and 2022 statements

This story fits with comments from the player made in 2018, a similar version to the one he is still telling in 2022.

The then-33-year-old told TRT World (via Standard): “I had a meeting with Arsene Wenger in his office when he told me I had to leave because he doesn’t see my future anymore in Arsenal. I have to move on in my life.

“I was like ‘I’m going to stay.’ He was like ‘no there is not even a fight organised. We are not going to organise any fight for you. You move out or you stay here and don’t play any games.'”

Perhaps, by that point, Wenger was fed up with Adebayor messing the two clubs around.

Maybe he just wanted to get the deal over the line so he could spend the money.

Whatever his reasoning, it seems like Wenger had a bigger part to play in the striker’s departure than he previously let on and makes Adebayor’s crazy celebration in front of the Arsenal fans that little bit more understandable.