Blame Arsene Wenger - Emmanuel Adebayor reveals why he left Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor has revealed the circumstances surrounding his departure from Arsenal; he was barred from the training ground after falling out of favour with manager Arsene Wenger.

The former African Player of the Year joined Arsenal in 2006 and enjoyed a successful period with the Gunners, notably scoring 30 goals in the 2007-08 season.

Despite interest from top European clubs, he signed a new long-term contract that summer.

However, his relationship with Wenger deteriorated the following year, leading to a bitter exit.

Adebayor recounted a meeting with Wenger upon returning from holiday, "I had a great season in 2008, I had everyone calling me. Milan, but I said I wasn’t going, I’m staying with Arsenal," he told Sky Sports.

However, Wenger told him, "'I don’t need you any more.’ And I was like ‘Wow, what am I going to do?'"

Despite wanting to fight for his place, Adebayor was told he would be excluded from all squads.

"He said if I stayed, I’d not be in the squad for the league, not in the squad for the Champions League or the cup," Adebayor explained.

He continued, "I decided to try and give it a chance to force my way back in, but I came back the next day to the training ground and they blocked the gate. I wasn’t allowed to enter the Arsenal training ground facility and that’s when I realised it was over."

Adebayor subsequently joined Manchester City in 2009, just four games into the season, he faced his former club (Arsenal), scoring a goal and then running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans.