Afternoon:
9°c
Arsenal supporters' group REDaction have branded Emmanuel Adebayor "a disgrace" but warned Manchester City fans should not be absolved from blame.
Although much of the focus of supporters' behaviour centred on a Gunners fan who is thought to have thrown a stewards' chair at Adebayor as he celebrated scoring City's third goal, the home crowd were today accused of throwing coins and plastic bottles into the visitors' section.
Adebayor became a hate figure at Arsenal after flirting with a big- money move last summer before finally joining Manchester City for £25million earlier this summer and REDaction spokesman Mark Brindle said: "He's gone too far. As much as he protested his innocence, we all know how he courted a move to Barcelona or AC Milan and only stayed for the money so it was always going to be a volatile occasion.
"He had one good season at Arsenal and although he had a lot of support last season, there was an increasing section who saw how lazy he was becoming.
"What he did was a disgrace and I am sure even though he apologised, the Manchester City press office got to him and told him that's what he should do. Whether he meant it or not, I don't know.
"The only reason he left was for the money. There was no loyalty from him and all he has done is cement his hatred among the fans.
"City fans used to sing racist songs about Adebayor and I have been told some of their actions on Saturday were questionable to say the least."
One Arsenal supporter at the match, Mickey Polston, who has followed the club home and away since 1973, claimed City fans were also to blame for the unsavoury atmosphere in the stadium.
He said: "When Adebayor scored, the City fans were throwing bottles and coins at us. A couple of stewards' seats were thrown at Adebayor from the Arsenal end and the whole situation got out of hand as there were women and children who were at the front of the away end who were left crying after being crushed." Adebayor defended himself by insisting he acted on impulse and as much as manager Mark Hughes may protest his new signing is "an emotional boy", Saturday afternoon was littered with examples of anticipation of the occasion.
Adebayor greeted Arsenal club staff in the tunnel before kick-off but was said to be "brimming with nervous energy" while repeatedly glancing towards the away dressing room.
It is understood he arrived at the ground hours before the game began and could be seen warming up on the pitch alongside a member of City's coaching staff long before his team-mates were on the pitch.
After a series of heavy challenges - the first of which came from Nicklas Bendtner with only six minutes played - Adebayor waited to kick off the second half by exchanging passes with Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Although the pair worked well in tandem in their days at Emirates Stadium, Fabregas merely poked the ball back to Adebayor, who instead played the ball to a more receptive Alex Song.
It was noticeable that Adebayor's pre-match interview he claimed "it will be funny playing against players who I see like brothers such as Song, [Gael] Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue" as it was these three players who were among the first to embrace him at the final whistle.
William Gallas also made a point of shaking hands but Robin van Persie stormed towards the tunnel and any apology Adebayor claims to have made did not take place on the pitch.
By contrast, Kolo Toure, another former Gunner, waited patiently in the tunnel as Arsene Wenger fulfilled his media commitments before the pair shared a hearty handshake and a short conversation in which the Arsenal manager asked how life had changed for him at City. There was no sign of Adebayor.
Polston added: "Adebayor's actions were very irresponsible on his part and the anger towards him comes from how motivated he is by money.
"If he had sprinted in an Arsenal shirt as fast as he did to celebrate in front of us on Saturday, I doubt anyone would have criticised him in the first place."
Reader views (12)
I was at the game in the away section, and it is very true about the coins and bottles. The City fan started launching them at as after Van Persie scored. A man in my row was hit by one and needed medical attention.
- Ollie Warren, Bristol, 01/11/2009 21:53
Report abuse
This guy is becoming so unprofessional. Am supprised after only one month he claims mancity fans love him more than arsenal fans did. Well we atleast loved you for two and a half seasons, it wont take long before the city fans turn against him.
- Mike, Nairobi, Kenya, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Paul London, Arsenal fans have been on radio saying Ade should be banned for 6 months because of his celebration. Get real will you. Watch Van Persie's celebration in front of City fans. I'll let you decide which one is a better sight for your family. Arsenal fans behaved impeccably throughout the whole game and yes you outplayed us too.
- Bluest, manchester england, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
"Stop whingeing and accept what is coming to you. Blues fans have."
What is coming to us? We out-played you, hit the woodwork more than once but fell foul to some direct style break-aways?
Also to bring racism into this issue is very weak and desperate indeed.
- Paul, London, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Yes City fans were to blame alright thats what the pictures show on Sky. Strange though how they were in Arsenal end and all wearing red. That nasty Ade pulled faces at you. Oh diddums! You may first want to check where Van Persie went to celebrate his goal and what he screamed at City fans first though.Be careful what you wish for.
Stop whingeing and accept what is coming to you. Blues fans have.
- Bluest, manchester, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Adebayor is the real deal: a complete and perfect moron. Can't wait to get the city fans and the perfect moron back to the Emirates!
- Colin Wallis, Germany, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Arsenal fans stop trying to blame Adebayor for the way he celebrated is it any different to when Henry ran to the other end of the pitch to taunt Spurs fans, or Rooney to the Everton fans stop blaming him and blame the people who let your club down
- Matt, Deal, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Fair play to Man City they deserved to win the game,but Adebayor has shown his true colours,to kick a former team mate in the face,and nearly break the ankle of Fabregas shows what a nasty piece of work he really is.And then to top that he goes out of his way to disrespect the fans who spent hard earned money travelling to support their team,the response from the Arsenal section was wrong but understandable,the referee was again substandard for such a big game and missed a lot.Adebayor is a good player,but as a personality he has no class.I look forward to the return game at the Emirates,where I am sure the locals will give him a friendly ovation,until then if I were Adebeyor I would give Islington a wide berth.
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Adebayor was wrong to taunt the arsenal fans after scoring and was rightly booked, the foul on Van Persie was also disgracefull.
But so are Arsenal fans, the taunting and racist abuse they doled out to there former hero and the animalistic way they reacted to his goal was sub-human.
What is all this hatred about , the words traitor are used for what reason? because he left? is everyone who leaves Aresenal a traitor? what about those that join Arsenal?
Arsenal managers,teams and fans attitude to defeat has always been poor, they blame everyone but themselves.
You better start getting used to losing, this is going to be a difficult time for your club as you drop out of the top four.
- Brian, Wiltshire, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Oh dear , how sad to try and push the blame for the Arsenal fans disgusting behaviour onto the City fans ! Talk about burying your heads in the sand ! Yes Adebayor was wrong with the stamp on Van Persie but it was retaliation for the leg breaker of a challenge with which Van Persie set out to do Ade ! The celebration was no worse than the "saint" Van Persie running at the City fans mouthing obscenities , but the blues fans didn`t behave like morons and charge down the steps throwing things at him ! If you`re fans can`t behave in a decent manner (and 90 mins of racist chanting seems to show you can`t) then don`t try and justify it by putting the blame on others !
- Kevin Leather, Stockport , England, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
perhaps Ade's response was a result of the relentless racist chanting aimed at him by the Arsenal 'fans' on Saturday?
- Karl, Manchester, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
Forget the scoreline; we can't argue with that. Adebayor is the epitome of the modern-day footballer. He had all gooners eating out of his hand during the 07/08 season when he worked like a dog for the team. He then went into superstar mode and started comparing himself with Henry (ridiculous!!) Last season he CHEATED!!..That's why we don't like him;why any supporter would hate any player who gives less than 100%. See you in April Adie; your apologies are worthless, you did what you wanted to do..The City players and supporters will see the real Adebayor when things don't go his way (i.e when he has to share rotation appearances role with Santa Cruz). I've seen him miss too many chances to think that he is the finished article..
- John, London, England, 01/11/2009 20:53
Report abuse
