Speaking in the aftermath of his side’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Liverpool, Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has already started looking ahead to Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United.
“Sunday is our season now, it determines whether we still have something to play for or whether we can go on holiday,” said the Togo international.
“If we win in Manchester we can still hope to win the league so we have to get our focus back, stay strong and make sure we do that.
“Right now we’re all disappointed but we will be back in the Champions League next season and the boss knows the answers. He knows what to do and what’s needed to win it.”
The Gunners stood on the brink of qualifying for the smie-finals at Anfield on two occasions having taken an early 1-0 lead and pulled the tie level at 2-2 with just six minutes remaining. However, they were unable to hold on and succumbed to a 4-2 defeat.
“Of course we’re all disappointed but it’s happened now and we have to respond,” debayor continued.
“We were in a position to get through twice and that’s the worst thing. We had chances to win and we didn’t take them.
“Perhaps we weren’t sure how to take our opportunities but that’s football and we have to accept it.”
Arsenal’s disappointment at their exit was compounded by a sense of injustice, after a contentious penalty was awarded to Liverpool in the closing minutes of the game .
“There’s a lot of things I don’t understand in football and I couldn’t say if it was a penalty or not tonight,” The Togo international said.
“We had the chance of a penalty in both the last two games against Liverpool and the referee didn’t see it like that, but tonight he gave them a penalty.
“That happens in football and we have to be big enough to take it.”
