Adebayor is going head over heels

VALENCIA // Emmanuel Adebayor is delighted to be "back in business" and Arsenal look set to cash in following the return of their striking spearhead. There is no doubt the absence of the Togo frontman, along with captain Cesc Fabregas, through injury has hampered the club this season. While their hopes of winning the Premier League might have faded, the pair are now in harmonious unison once again to provide the Gunners with the quality needed to make them challengers, not the "super outsiders" as their manager Arsene Wenger claims, for the Champions League crown.

After a 25-yard thunderbolt from Marcos Senna had put Villarreal ahead in Tuesday's quarter-final first-leg encounter, Arsenal finished the game in Spain on level terms through a memorable equaliser. A raking pass from Fabregas found Adebayor in the box and, with his back to goal, he chested the ball down before twisting to send an overhead kick into the net. A class strike from a class act. "I may not have scored many better," admitted Adebayor, following his third goal in two games since his comeback after two months out with a hamstring injury.

"I am happy with the goal, but I will be even happier if we go through. "I don't know if we can win the Champions League, but, for us, the most important thing is to play a game at a time. "I am focused on doing what I enjoy doing, playing football, and helping this club achieve things." Teammate Theo Walcott added: "It was probably one of the best goals I have seen in the Champions League; a special goal from a special player. Hopefully that can spur us on into the next round."

A refreshed and resurgent Adebayor is something Wenger desperately needs after losing another two players through injury. William Gallas could be out for the season with knee ligament damage while the goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, also misses next Wednesday's return leg at the Emirates Stadium with an ankle knock. But Adebayor says Johan Djourou and Lukasz Fabianski are able deputies. "We just have to trust them," he added.

"We know how good they are so they can do the job." After grinding out such a solid result against a Villarreal side that has not lost at El Madrigal in the Champions League, Wenger remained confident. "This team have shown the whole season they are mentally very strong and when they have backs to the wall, these young players always find an answer," said the Frenchman. Villarreal still pose a threat, but know they did not take full advantage of their dominance, blunted by the visitors' resilience.

Senna feels this team are better than the Villarreal side who lost their semi-final meeting against Arsenal in 2006 and is convinced they are on course for the last four. In their last-16 tie they went to Panathinaikos level at 1-1 and overcame the Greeks. "Right now, Arsenal have the advantage because they scored an away goal, but if we can win there, we will be in the semi- finals," he said. "I believe we can do it."