Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has expressed his respect for striker Emmanuel Adebayor who, according to him, made a huge financial sacrifice to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

Earlier this week, Adebayor signed a long-term deal with the Gunners to put an end to speculation that linked him with a move to Barcelona or AC Milan.

The Togo international could have earned a far bigger wage had he moved from Arsenal, and Wenger is fully aware of that.

26-year-old Adebayor resisted the temptation of a transfer, deciding to stay at the North London club and that deserves respect, according to the Arsenal boss.

“He had a lot of interest from many big clubs but he always told me one-to-one his preference was to stay,” said Wenger on Arsenal’s official website.

“I was convinced he wanted to do that and I know he made sacrifices.”

“People have advisors and some clubs pay higher wages than we do, we have to accept that.”

“The story did not come out like that in the press and unfortunately he is paying a price for a story which is not really him. He made a press conference in Austria where people interpreted his statements a bit differently, but I know what he told me.”

“[Overall] I believe that Emmanuel has been unfairly treated.”