EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR says he and Robin van Persie can be ArsenalÂ’s new goal machine.
Following Thierry HenryÂ’s summer move to Barcelona, the pressure is on Adebayor and Van Persie to hit the back of the net on a regular basis.
Although the Gunners have started the season well, they still lack a natural finisher to reward their precise build-up play. Adebayor and Van Persie have never been prolific for the Gunners, but the Togo international thinks their partnership can be explosive.
“We are at Arsenal to score goals, we are at Arsenal to play football, we are at Arsenal to enjoy ourselves on the pitch and do something together,” said Adebayor.
“Give us time. We understand each other off the pitch, so we are just trying to do it on the pitch. I hope we can score plenty of goals. I just want to do my best – if that is 15 goals or 20 goals, just as high as possible.”
Van Persie had a penalty saved against Manchester City on Saturday, when he was partnered by Adebayor, but will get the chance to make amends if the Gunners win a penalty against Sparta Prague tomorrow, in their Champions League qualifier. “The Manchester City keeper saved it. If someone else took it he might have saved it as well. If Robin wants to take it again we will give the ball to him,” said Adebayor.
“We have to believe in ourselves and in each other. Just because he missed a penalty he’s not a bad player – this is Robin van Persie, an amazing footballer.”
Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Prague, Arsenal should not have a problem booking a place in the group stages of the Champions League.
But Adebayor says the players are mature enough not to take anything for granted. “It’s not an easy game,” he said.
“The game is not finished. We scored two goals, they can do the same. We have the quality for a good counter-attack so we’re looking forward to qualifying.”
Yeah,i expect Ade and rvp to step up and score more. they must score. they really must.
