Emmanuel Adebayor has told Arsenal fans to "forget" about his infamous celebration while playing against them for Manchester City.
During a Premier League clash between the sides just two months after Adebayor had signed for newly-minted City in an acrimonious £25.5million transfer deal, the Togolese striker put the hosts 3-1 up with a header at the home end. Instead of celebrating with his own supporters, Adebayor boldly ran the length of the pitch and slid on his knees directly in front of the travelling Arsenal fans.
It sparked fury in the away end, with the City star being pelted with objects - including a plastic stool. Arsenal were defeated 4-2 on the day but Adebayor still faced punishment from the FA, as he was subsequently handed a two-match ban and a £25,000 fine.
Last October, a little over 14 years after the incident, Adebayor said that it was time to "move on" and blamed his antics on abuse from Arsenal supporters. Speaking to Sky Sports, the now-retired 40-year-old claimed: "I think the fans can forget what happened in 2009 when I ran the length of the pitch.
"Today I will make it clear, I don't think any human being would accept it if people were singing about and insulting your family, especially your mother and father. I would do anything for my mother and father.
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"It's behind me now, I hope it is behind them. We all love football and every once in a while when they see that celebration on television and social media, hopefully now they can laugh it off and move on. That's what I wish for the Arsenal fans and I wish them the best of luck this year."
Your turn! Should Arsenal fans ever forgive Emmanuel Adebayor? Give us your stance in the comments section.
Emmanuel Adebayor sparked fury in the Arsenal end (ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images)Adebayor had also backed Arsenal to win the Premier League title instead of City last season when the Gunners ultimately fell short. What didn't help his rapport with Arsenal fans was a controversial move to their arch-rivals, Tottenham, in 2011, spending the next four seasons in the white half of North London.
Arsenal and City meet again this Sunday in a match which is set to have huge ramifications on this year's Premier League title race. We doubt any of Arsenal's stars who used to play for City will be producing their own version of Adebayor's celebration, though...
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