Arshavin Backs Wenger’s Decisions to Sell Adebayor

Despite being of the opinion that Manchester City will challenge Arsenal for a top four slot, Andrei Arshavin has supported Arsene Wenger’s decision to sell Emmanuel Adebayor to City for £25m.

Arshavin told Sports Weekend: “We lost a very strong player [Adebayor] and bought a good defender. At the same time, our team continues to be one of the best in the English Premier League, even despite the fact that Adebayor left.

"If he wanted to leave, then it wasn’t necessary to keep him in the team. Especially if the player doesn’t want to turn out for us.”

Arshavin thinks that Arsenal will have new, serious challengers for Champions League places next season, but he believes the title winners will again come from the EPL’s ‘big four’.

He commented, “With regard to the fight for the Champions League, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham will join them.”

Arshavin added, “getting into this tournament is one of the main objectives at the start of the season. It won’t be easy, but I hope that we can handle it.“

Arshavin has put faith in his mastermind manager, but even a manager of the caliber of Arsene Wenger can only do so much with a weakened squad.