Leave Adebayor alone, Wenger urges Arsenal fans

Arsene Wenger has urged Arsenal fans to respect Emmanuel Adebayor when the striker plays against them in Tottenham Hotspur colours for the first time this afternoon.

Adebayor spent three years under Wenger but angered Gunners fans after he moved to Manchester City and sprinted the length of the field to taunt them with a goal celebration.

The 27-year-old had an impressive goalscoring record against Spurs when he was at Arsenal but is now looking to add to his old team’s troubles this season in today’s north London derby at White Hart Lane.

However, Wenger has urged Arsenal’s fans to lay off Adebayor.

“That’s what you don’t want,” Wenger said.

“A football game is a fantastic day that everyone has to enjoy and with a positive atmosphere. So let our fans get behind our team and forget about the rest.”

Wenger’s team looked nervy clinging on to victory against Olympiakos in the Champions League last week, and they have already lost three times in the Premier League. At least, he has Theo Walcott and Gervinho returning from injury, although Laurent Koscielny will miss out.

Adebayor will be determined to get on the scoresheet against his ex-team-mates again.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was one of the only people to call Adebayor two years ago and offer his support when the striker was criticised for his extravagant celebration in front of Arsenal fans.

“I’m sure he won’t over-react again,” Redknapp said.

“I think he apologised last time. He’s got a lot of respect for Arsenal still but he loves it here now, he’s a Tottenham player.”