Adebayor living a charmed life

Togo's failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations has been a major boost for Arsenal FC, with striker Emmanuel Adebayor hitting peak form in recent weeks.

On fire
While many of Europe's top African players are in action in Ghana, Adebayor has been able to stay with his club throughout the early part of 2008, and with another goal in last night's 3-0 Premier League win against Newcastle United FC taking his tally to nine in his last seven games in all competitions, the striker is on fire.

Dream signing
Last night, Arsène Wenger was once more left to praise the 23-year-old who he brought from AS Monaco FC in 2005. "Emmanuel Adebayor has many assets for a striker: he is mobile, he is tall and has quick feet. He can score with his feet, in the air, on crosses with headers. He is a generous type of player, he works for the team. He is striker who you dream to have."

Henry vacuum
Thierry Henry's departure for FC Barcelona in the summer left many fearing the goal rush days were over at Arsenal Stadium, but midfielder Tomáš Rosický was more optimistic, saying: "The fact that Thierry left the club will mean that our strikers can compete to become the team's best striker. It will be either [Robin] van Persie, Adebayor or Eduardo da Silva."

Magic touch
With Van Persie injured and Eduardo still settling down after his arrival from NK Dinamo Zagreb, Adebayor has seized Henry's mantle. His recent goalscoring surge has taken him on to 16 league goals for the season. "At the moment, everything is going into the net," he said. "Everything is going the right way for me and the fans are singing my name. I am just enjoying myself."

On-field clash
While Arsenal are back to the top of the Premier League, it has not all been fun for Adebayor in recent days. A 5-1 defeat against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur FC last Tuesday saw Arsenal eliminated from the League Cup, and while Adebayor scored, it was an altercation with team-mate Nicklas Bendtner that ended up being his most memorable contribution of the night.

'Doing my job'
"We are both passionate about this club, but it was a mistake," he said following the incident which left Bentner with a cut nose. Provided the goals keep flowing, such transgressions will be forgiven and Arsenal fans will continue to tout Adebayor as a world-beater. "I am not here to say whether I am as good as [Didier] Drogba, as good as [Filippo] Inzaghi," said Adebayor. "The most important thing for me is doing my job." With Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League, until Manchester United FC play tonight at least, thanks in large part to his goals, Gunners' fans will second that.