Wenger: 'Adebayor will stay'

The Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor endured a frustrating day at Emirates Stadium despite pledging his future to Arsenal.

The Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor may have to win the hearts and minds of Arsenal fans again.

LONDON // Emmanuel Adebayor endured a frustrating day despite pledging his future to Arsenal. The big striker was cheered and jeered by sections of the crowd at the Emirates Stadium when he came on during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Juventus in the Emirates Cup. The Togolese international had the chance to win over the fans immediately after entering the action, but missed three good chances, including a curling effort in the last minute, as the Gunners slumped to a disappointing loss in their opening game of the preseason tournament. David Trezeguet grabbed the winner, although he looked offside when he touched home a free-kick from Marco Marchionni. The Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Adebayor will soon be back in the fans' good books after pledging to stay and sign a contract extension following a summer of speculation linking him with a move to AC Milan or Barcelona. Wenger said: "I feel our fans are behind him, I feel that reaction was more disappointed love. "To me, face to face, he always told me he wants to stay at the club, and it finished like that, so I believe what he told me. "He is not going anywhere, even if you come with a 747 plane full of money." Wenger left Adebayor and many of his big names, such as club captain William Gallas, out of the starting side against Juventus. Cesc Fabregas was rested altogether. Instead, the youngsters got the chance to show their talent in front of the home fans with Jack Wilshere, 16, lining up alongside fellow teenager Aaron Ramsey in midfield. And Wenger is backing the pint-size Wilshere to blossom as he added: "He really looks mature on the pitch, but he is 16 and we have to respect his development. "Do not form an impression on his small size because he is not fazed by the physical challenges. However, do not reproach me now about not playing English players. "We had a very young side, especially in the first-half, and played well. We were unlucky to concede the goal and maybe lacked a bit of experience to score, as well as some physical match sharpness. There were some heavy legs, but it will get better over the next two weeks." Ramsey showed his potential and went close with an effort, blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, but Juve looked sharp with swift counter-attacks. New signing Samir Nasri did come off the bench in the second-half and is expected to start against Real Madrid in today's second game. The Spanish giants beat Hamburg 2-1 and the coach Bernd Schuster says they are still keen on signing the Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, even if Rafael van der Vaart signs, as expected, from the German club. "I do believe the club are working hard to get a solution, but we have to see," he said. "We knew it was going to be a very complicated matter, that it was not easy. "Do I still want to sign Ronaldo? If you ask any football coach that question every single one of them would want Ronaldo." Hamburg face Juventus in today's other game.