Arsenal’s physical edge helped end 22-year Premier League title wait – Emmanuel Adebayor

Former Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor believes Arsenal’s increased physical strength under Mikel Arteta played a key role in the club finally ending its long wait for the Premier League title.

Arsenal won the 2025/26 Premier League championship to end a 22-year drought, with Adebayor reflecting on the success of a club he represented between 2006 and 2009.

The former striker scored 62 goals in 142 appearances for Arsenal after joining from AS Monaco, but left without winning the Premier League or Champions League.

Adebayor, however, believes the foundations laid during his time at the club eventually contributed to the success enjoyed by the current generation.

“I went to Arsenal to be champions. I couldn’t make it happen. I went to Manchester City. We started the project of winning championships, winning the Champions League. We couldn’t make it happen. Those who follow us are making it happen now. We can only be happy for them,” Adebayor told Flashscore.

‘They are strong, big and physical’

Adebayor believes Arteta’s decision to build a physically imposing squad has helped Arsenal cope with the demands of English football.

Arteta took charge in 2019 after succeeding Unai Emery and has gradually reshaped the team, with centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba becoming important figures in the side.

Adebayor sees the duo’s physical qualities as a major addition to Arsenal’s approach compared with the team he played for under Arsene Wenger.

“Arteta took over from Arsene Wenger with his own mentality, with his own vision. He learned under Pep Guardiola. He wants certain things in a certain way. I’m not surprised that he brought some big guys at the back like Gabriel, Saliba. They are strong. They are big. They are physical.”

The Togolese believes Arsenal’s blend of technical ability and physicality is particularly important in a league where teams must regularly compete in demanding games.

“That is one thing Arsenal has added to its football that can definitely make them champions,” he said.

Adebayor argues that attractive football alone is not enough to guarantee success in England, where the ability to withstand physical battles can determine the outcome of a title race.

“If you want to be champions in England, you can play beautiful football as much as you want and you’ll never be champions,” he added.

“If you have some players that are ready to kick, that are ready to battle for you, then obviously you can be champions.”

Adebayor’s comments come after Arsenal finally secured the league title more than two decades after their previous triumph, while Manchester City, another former club of his, have also established themselves as a dominant force in English and European football.

For the former striker, the achievements of both clubs represent the completion of ambitions that his generation could not fulfil.