Arsene Wenger admits the return of Emmanuel Adebayor from his four-game suspension is a "relief" as Arsenal head into tomorrow's crunch Barclays Premiership showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.
The Togo striker has been unavailable for domestic matches since he was reprimanded by the Football Association following his red card and subsequent reaction to the dismissal after the mass brawl at the end of the Carling Cup final against Chelsea.
Already without Robin van Persie because of a broken foot, Wenger has seen his attacking options hit by injury to captain Thierry Henry and also the need for Theo Walcott to have a shoulder operation.
Adebayor scored twice during Togo's 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone in their African Nations Cup qualifier - before then being axed from the squad following a row over bonus payments.
It remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old - said to have received death threats over the incident - will feature for the national team again.
Wenger is just glad to have the beanpole striker back in his Premiership plans.
"It is important for us," said the Arsenal manager.
"With the number of strikers we have out, his presence, physical ability and penetration power means it is good to have him back.
"We have been punished very hard with Adebayor so it is a relief to have him with us again," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
Liverpool are a point behind in fourth place and have played a game less.
Arsenal have already beaten the Reds three times this season - winning at Anfield in both the third round of the FA Cup and also recording a 6-3 victory with a youthful side en route to the Carling Cup final.
With Arsenal out of Europe and also the FA Cup, Wenger - facing a second season without silverware - admits it is a somewhat strange ending to the campaign.
"This is the first time in my time here that we do not have anything to look forward to," said the French coach, in charge for a decade.
"We have had years where we did not win trophies, but we have always had a cup final or a title race to come."
Arsenal, meanwhile, yesterday announced they will freeze ticket prices for next season, with a buy-back scheme available, and also look to reduce admission for any home Carling Cup matches.
Already without Robin van Persie because of a broken foot, Wenger has seen his attacking options hit by injury to captain Thierry Henry and also the need for Theo Walcott to have a shoulder operation.
Adebayor scored twice during Togo's 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone in their African Nations Cup qualifier - before then being axed from the squad following a row over bonus payments.
It remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old - said to have received death threats over the incident - will feature for the national team again.
Wenger is just glad to have the beanpole striker back in his Premiership plans.
"It is important for us," said the Arsenal manager.
"With the number of strikers we have out, his presence, physical ability and penetration power means it is good to have him back.
"We have been punished very hard with Adebayor so it is a relief to have him with us again," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
Liverpool are a point behind in fourth place and have played a game less.
Arsenal have already beaten the Reds three times this season - winning at Anfield in both the third round of the FA Cup and also recording a 6-3 victory with a youthful side en route to the Carling Cup final.
With Arsenal out of Europe and also the FA Cup, Wenger - facing a second season without silverware - admits it is a somewhat strange ending to the campaign.
"This is the first time in my time here that we do not have anything to look forward to," said the French coach, in charge for a decade.
"We have had years where we did not win trophies, but we have always had a cup final or a title race to come."
Arsenal, meanwhile, yesterday announced they will freeze ticket prices for next season, with a buy-back scheme available, and also look to reduce admission for any home Carling Cup matches.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Under the gun: Spurs fans want Ange to be a loser in night of spite
Matildas star 'freezing in the champagne shower' after first Arsenal trophy
