Adebayor has something to say

Adebayor picked up his African Ballon d`Or award in Abu Dhabi appropriately enough at the Emirates Palace Hotel. He could also pick up a media award given the sheer volume of his pronouncements on various aspects of the club over the last few days.

Of his award he says with justifiable pride 'It's a massive satisfaction for me and the best personal award of my career so far. I have always dreamed of winning a prize like this from when I was young, and I am extremely happy. I hope I am here next year and win it again.'

Next months Champions League Roma opponents were subjected to Ade`s analysis as he told Corriere Dello Sport 'Roma are a difficult opponent, for us it will be a hard and tricky game because Roma are a team who have done really well in Europe over the last few years.

'They also have Totti, he is a great player. Of course, there is still some time before Roma and we have to recover in the league and win many games, then we can think about them.'

The shy, self-effacing striker also volunteered his opinion on our slim title aspirations 'To try and come back and win the title, we know it is going to be very difficult, we know it is going to be tough,' he has told Sky Sports.

'It is tough for us, it is tough for Liverpool, it is tough for Chelsea and it is tough for Manchester United.

'We are 10 points behind, so if we can win three or four games straight away we have a chance to come back. The most important thing is to keep on going.

'We have to keep our dreams alive and keep going. We will do everything to make it possible.'

On the subject of our former captain William Gallas he informed L`Equipe that "He`s our big brother and it hasn`t been easy for him lately.

"We have been trying to support him and I believe that coping without him would be very tough."

'What he said in his book is a bit harsh. But he assumes it. If someone makes a mistake, he will tell him so because he`s a very honest guy.

"This criticism was heavy on his heart. He told us that somebody had to bang the drum."

In Aujourd`hui Sport he is quoted as saying that Gallas was not wrong to speak out 'There is some truth in what he said. Someone had to say these things, to make each person face up to their responsibilities. If he had said nothing, where would we be today?

'Gallas has always been like that - he has experience, he has won titles, played in a World Cup final.

'He doesn't throw these thoughts around lightly. He said something because it was necessary to do it.

'He is indispensable to the team. He is Arsenal's rock - his behaviour since the armband was taken off him proves that.'

Whatever the failings so far this season he believes that a little confidence could pay dividends as he added:

'It's a question of confidence. At the moment, when we take the lead, we are scared.

'We tremble until the final whistle because the team is young and we have conceded several goals in the last few minutes of matches.

'We are lacking a bit of luck. We haven't been on top form since the start of the season. Perhaps we will perform better towards the end."

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