Adebayor names two Arsenal stars behind major Arteta transformation
Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta added the physical edge the Gunners needed to become Premier League champions.
Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the league title last season after years of progress under Arteta, who has gradually transformed the squad since replacing Unai Emery in December 2019.
Adebayor believes the technical qualities traditionally associated with Arsenal have now been complemented by players capable of coping with the physical demands of English football.
Speaking to Flashscore, the former Togo international highlighted Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba as examples of the profile Arteta has introduced to Arsenal’s defence.
“They are strong. They are big. They are physical,” Adebayor said of the centre-backs.
The 42-year-old believes that change helped Arsenal finally make the step from challenging for the Premier League to winning it.
Adebayor argued that attractive football alone is insufficient to become champions in England, with successful teams also requiring players prepared to compete physically when matches become difficult.
“If you have some players that are ready to kick, that are ready to battle for you, then obviously you can be champions,” he added.
His assessment carries particular relevance after Arsenal’s success last season, when Arteta finally delivered the Premier League trophy following several years of building towards a title challenge.
Adebayor also expressed satisfaction at seeing his former club accomplish something he was unable to achieve during his own spell in north London.
The former striker joined Arsenal from Monaco in January 2006 and scored 62 goals in 142 appearances before leaving for Manchester City in 2009.
“I went to Arsenal to be champions. I couldn’t make it happen,” Adebayor said. “Those who follow us are making it happen now. We can only be happy for them.”
Arsenal’s status as defending champions has already brought a different challenge this season, with Arteta’s side attempting to prove last year’s breakthrough was the beginning rather than the culmination of their progress.
They won their opening four Premier League matches before suffering their first setback at Brighton on Saturday, losing 3-0 after being outplayed at the Amex Stadium.
Arteta admitted afterwards that Arsenal lost too many individual battles during the defeat, an observation that makes Adebayor’s emphasis on physical competitiveness particularly timely.
One poor performance does not undo the qualities that made Arsenal champions, but Adebayor believes their ability to combine technical excellence with greater strength and aggression has fundamentally changed what the team can achieve.
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