The Spurs boss has described the striker as “one of the top players in the division” and says that the Gunners will have been pleased to see him limping off at Old Trafford
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood says Arsenal will not be looking forward to facing Emmanuel Adebayor as he prepares to take on the Gunners in the FA Cup third round.
The striker has been declared fit to face Arsene Wenger’s side after having been stretchered off at Old Trafford during Spurs’ 2-1 win over Manchester United.
Adebayor scored the opener in that game and has been in fine form since being recalled to the side and Sherwood is tipping him to impress at the Emirates Stadium.
“Adebayor will be huge,” Sherwood told reporters. “I think that if Arsene Wenger saw him limping off at Old Trafford … I’m sure there were a lot of pleased Arsenal fans, management and players but, unfortunately, he’s going to be walking out against them.
“It didn’t look great when he came off on that stretcher but he is a warrior. There is no holding him back at the moment.”
Adebayor spent three years at Arsenal before leaving for Manchester City but Sherwood feels he is a player the Gunners will fear.
“At every club he’s ever played for, the fans respect Adebayor for the player he is,” he added.
“There are certain players when the team-sheet comes in, you scan down and see if they’re playing. I did it at Old Trafford … see if [Wayne] Rooney’s playing straight away and I’m sure Arsenal will do the same with Adebayor.”
Sherwood also praised Adebayor’s professionalism and says he is looking forward to taking on his former side.
“He’s a top player, it’s as simple as that,” he added. “He has a real desire to want to play at the moment and he is one of the top players in this division. I am only worried about how I treat him.
“I am certain I will show him the respect he deserves as long as he continues to show that respect to me. He is a good character around the place, a total professional and he is really focused game to game.
“He was in real pain at Old Trafford, he couldn’t walk, so for him to put himself in the frame for this game is a real credit to him.
“He loves scoring goals and trying to bring him off the pitch to protect him at times … he gives me that stare. Sometimes, you have to do it. He knows I’m doing it for the right reasons.
“I have never heard him talking about anything other than the games, enjoying training and looking forward to the next games.”