Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT Published: 18 October 2007
Adebayor’s ‘hunger’ for success
Gunners’ striker reveals that a frustrating injury spurred his current goal rush
STRIKER Emmanuel Adebayor has revealed that the catalyst behind his explosive start to the season comes from a ‘hunger’ he developed during a frustrating summer. The Togolese forward has netted six goals in six Premier League games already this term, including his first-ever Arsenal hat-trick against Derby and a brace against rivals Spurs in the north London derby at White Hart Lane.
Needing just two more goals to equal his Premier League tally for the whole of last season, Adebayor will be eager to continue his hot streak in front of goal on Saturday when Arsenal entertain managerless Bolton at the Emirates stadium.
The towering striker, who will now remain with Arsenal at the start of next year after Togo failed to qualify for the African Nations Cup, has little doubt that the spell on the sidelines gave him the spur he needed: “I had an injury when I was [at the pre-season training camp] in Austria and this frustrated me a great deal,” he told the club’s official site, Arsenal.com. “When I came back I was really angry and hungry. This is one of the reasons that explains why I have had such a good start to the season.”
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is also pushing for a recall after turning out for Germany in the recent Euro 2008 qualifiers. The 37-year-old shot stopper hasn’t featured for the Gunners since his howler against Blackburn in the middle of August.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been shortlisted for two prestigious accolades in this year’s Visit London Awards. The north London club have welcomed more than 100,000 visitors to their new Emirates stadium over the past year and as a result are in the running to win the Sports Tourism Award.
The Gunners also feature in the Business Venue of the Year category as their stunning new home ground continues to establish itself as one of the most spectacular and successful sports stadiums in the world. The winners of each category will be announced at a special awards ceremony on November 29.