Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Togo international striker who played for both Arsenal (2006–2009) and Tottenham Hotspur (2012–2013 loan, later permanent aspects in his career arc), has a well-documented strained relationship with Arsenal despite his successful spell there.
Recent articles (from around February 22–24, 2026) revisit his past comments to highlight where his “loyalties” appear to lie amid the intense North London rivalry.
The headline “Emmanuel Adebayor makes clear where loyalties lie with Arsenal and Tottenham comment” from sources like the Daily Express and Mirror refers to his longstanding admission of hating Arsenal due to his acrimonious 2009 exit.
In a 2018 interview (frequently republished in these recent pieces, especially around North London derby coverage), Adebayor explained his bitterness toward Arsenal and former manager Arsene Wenger:
He claimed Wenger told him in a meeting that he had no future at the club and needed to move on.
Adebayor wanted to stay and fight for his place but felt forced out. Ade joined Manchester City soon after, only to see Wenger claim in a press conference that Adebayor left for money.
This perceived betrayal sparked his “hate” for Arsenal, as he felt unfairly portrayed and abused by the club and fans despite his contributions.
He has not expressed similar negativity toward Tottenham, where he had a less controversial stint. Adebayor remains one of only a handful of players (alongside William Gallas, David Bentley, and Rohan Ricketts) to represent both clubs in the Premier League era, underscoring the rivalry’s hostility.
More recently, in comments around Arsenal’s games (including after their North London derby win over Tottenham), Adebayor predicted Manchester City would win the Premier League title over Arsenal, stating he had reviewed fixtures and saw Arsenal dropping points. This aligns with fan perceptions of his ongoing anti-Arsenal bias.
Overall, his comments make it clear his loyalties lean away from Arsenal—rooted in past grievances—while he shows no comparable resentment toward Tottenham. This context often resurfaces during derbies or title races to frame his punditry.
