Emmanuel Adebayor has spoken out about his infamous celebration against Arsenal, saying he would’ve paid millions to do it if he had to.

Adebayor made a controversial move from Arsenal to Manchester City, with many fans claiming he’d only done so for the money.

When the Gunners faced up against City at the Etihad, Adebayor scored, and ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the visiting supporters.

Emmanuel told French outlet So Foot via Express: “After it had happened, I was told the FA wanted to slap me with a huge fine.

“Even if I would have had to pay two million euros I would have done it. I was not going to stay there and hear five thousand people insult my family, even though they had nothing to do with it. 

“At that moment, I felt like I weighed 20 kilos, even though before the match, I felt like I weighed 2000. When I slid on my knees and spread my arms out, I felt untouchable.

“People were throwing everything at me – their phones, water bottles but I did not flinch, everything went right past me. ‘Whoosh, whoosh’, just like in the movies! 

“It feels great, like being imprisoned for years and then suddenly hearing someone tell you, ‘My brother, the door is there, walk out. Now you are free.’ That is what I felt – liberation.”

Adebayor is certainly getting a bit dramatic towards the end, all he’d done is score a goal in a season where City eventually finished trophyless and fifth. However, as much as this might be an unpopular opinion, I think what the striker did was understandable.

It was certainly not the smartest decision, and he definitely earned the fine; but if he’d held a hand up to his ear or put a finger to his lips without running the length of the pitch, it would’ve been fair game.

The Arsenal fans were provoking him with racist chants, which should have no place in the game. I’m all for singing “Adebayor, what’s the score?” after he’s gone and lost his head in a 5-2 defeat, but the Gunners’ supporters were out of line that day.

Personally, the Manchester City striker was only responding to those unacceptable chants. It didn’t stop me getting as angry as anyone else at the time, but looking back my view has softened.