Emmanuel Adebayor, a former Arsenal and Togo striker, has opened up about the events that led to his departure from the Gunners. Speaking with Optus Sport, Adebayor claimed that then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger banned him from the training ground, effectively ending his time at the club.

Adebayor joined Arsenal from Monaco and quickly became a key player. His 2007/08 season was outstanding, as he scored 30 goals across all competitions. However, trouble began during the following summer when a contract dispute created tensions between the striker and the club. Several top European teams showed interest in signing him, but Adebayor eventually renewed his contract with Arsenal.

Despite staying, Adebayor revealed that his relationship with Wenger had completely broken down. The French manager reportedly asked him to leave the club, and it wasn’t long before Manchester City swooped in to sign the striker from Arsenal.

Adebayor’s revelations offer a glimpse into the strained circumstances surrounding his exit. His story is a reminder of the behind-the-scenes challenges players and managers sometimes face in football.

“I had a great season in 2008, I had everyone calling me,” Adebayor said.

“Milan, when Milan was great with Kaka, Gattuso, Maldini and Shevchenko, but I said I wasn’t going, I’m staying with Arsenal.

“I went on holiday but when I came back to the club I had a meeting with the boss, and he said ‘I don’t need you any more.’ And I was like ‘wow’, what am I going to do?

“I wanted a chance to fight for my place and he said no. He said if I stayed I’d not be in the squad for the league, not in the squad for the Champions League or the cup. I thought, ‘ok, this is harsh’.

“I decided to try and give it a chance to force my way back in, but I came back the next day to the training ground and they blocked the gate.

“I wasn’t allowed to enter the Arsenal training ground facility and that’s when I realised it was over.”