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Emmanuel Adebayor has extended an olive branch to Arsenal fans, encouraging them to move beyond his infamous celebration following his goal for Manchester City against the Gunners in 2009.
The Togolese forward completed a £25 million transfer from Arsenal to Manchester City that summer, as the club’s wealthy Abu Dhabi owners embarked on significant spending.
Adebayor endured taunts from Arsenal supporters when he faced them at the Etihad Stadium a few weeks into the subsequent season. On the occasion of his goal during City’s 4-2 victory, he embarked on an exuberant celebration, sprinting nearly the full length of the field and sliding on his knees in front of the Gunners’ fan base.
In response to his actions, Adebayor faced a barrage of objects thrown at him, including a plastic stool. Consequently, he received a £25,000 fine and a suspended two-match ban from the Football Association.
Years after the incident, Adebayor, who retired from football at the age of 39 back in March, hopes that Arsenal fans can find it in their hearts to forgive him and move past his infamous celebration.
“I believe that the fans can put the events of 2009, when I ran the length of the pitch, behind us,” he expressed to Sky Sports.
Adebayor continued, “Today, I want to emphasize that no one, in any circumstance, would tolerate people singing about and insulting their family, especially their mother and father. I would go to great lengths to defend and protect my parents.”
“It’s in the past for me, and I hope it can be the same for them. We all share a love for football, and I hope that when they see that celebration on television or social media, they can now share a laugh and move forward.
“That’s my hope for Arsenal fans, and I wish them the best of luck this year.”
Adebayor, who played for Arsenal from 2006 to 2009, tallying 62 goals in 142 matches, had just one full season with City, scoring 14 times, before loan stints at Real Madrid and Tottenham. He eventually made a permanent move to Tottenham in 2012.
The former Togo international openly confesses that he was rooting for Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title last season.
