Striker show thrills Wenger
20 Jan 2008 - 12:49:13
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he was relieved to see Emmanuel Adebayor miss the Africa Cup of Nations after starring in Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham.
Adebayor's Togo side failed to qualify for the finals in Ghana meaning he was on hand to score twice in a one-sided game at Craven Cottage.
The rangy striker has now scored 15 goals in all competitions this season and Wenger was full of praise for the player he now regards as his 'main striker'.
"I must confess I wasn't devastated when Togo didn't qualify," said the Frenchman.
"It would have been difficult without Adebayor although we do have players who are coming on very well like Eduardo, (Nicklas) Bendtner and (Theo) Walcott.
"In the past, he has sometimes ended up going out to the flanks because he so wants to be involved in play, but that drags him away from where he can be lethal.
"We have been telling him that for a while and he was more focused on being central today which is good.
"He has an unbelievable jump, he times his jumps very well and he's terrific in those situations.
"He is also the main striker now and he gives us an added dimension with his headers."