Adebayor: Wenger told me to go

The towering Togolese target-man arrived at Eastlands following a £25 million move amid accusations from Gunners' supporters that money was the main reason behind the forward’s departure.

However, the goal-getter has revealed he never wanted to leave North London, and says it was his former boss who instigated the move to Mark Hughes’ side.

“I’m still very pleased that I decided to move to City,” he said in the Mirror.

“I feel fresh and I’m really enjoying myself on the pitch at the moment. People here have treated me well and that was not happening at Arsenal.

“If I had stayed there, I don’t think I would have even played. Wenger didn’t actually say that in so many words, but we did have a good discussion.

“Basically, I was told that I must leave, even though I didn’t want to. He said they had come to an agreement with Manchester City and that it would be best for me to go.

“I had to leave because I must play games, because there is nothing better in the whole world than playing regularly.”

The 25-year-old has bagged four goals so far for his new club, including netting in City’s 4-2 win over Wenger’s men earlier in the season.

Adebayor celebrated by controversially running the length of the field to celebrate directly in front of the away supporters in reaction to suffering a barrage of abuse from the Arsenal fans.

His actions landed the Togo forward in hot water with the FA, as a £25,000 fine followed as well as a three-match-ban for stamping on former team-mate Robin van Persie.

Adebayor has yet to find the net since the bad-tempered encounter, while City have stuttered in recent weeks as they aim to qualify for the Champions League.

The Blues have drawn their last five consecutive games but Adebayor – who will face his former club in the Carling Cup in a fortnight's time – is confident the Blues can overcome their barren spell.

“There is no panic at the club,” he said. “This is a long-term project. We have a chance to nurture this team and make it one of the best in the world.

“That’s why we have bought players like Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure and myself. We’ve combined with the quality players already here and we feel we can make this club successful.

“Certainly a top-four spot is still the aim this season – why not? At the moment you can see that the Big Four are struggling a little bit. Liverpool and Manchester United in particular are finding things tough. So this is the year, everything is open.

“I wasn’t surprised that I started so well because I’m a good striker who’s here to score goals. I know I have the ability to do that. Last season at Arsenal I was tired as I had been playing with lots of injuries. This campaign is like a fresh start for me.”