After Monaco's threats to leave Emmanuel 'Sheyi' Adebayor training with the juniors, because he failed to return to Monaco after France's winter break, Arsenal took advantage of the situation and signed the 21-years-old striker today, along with 19-years-old Abou Diaby from Auxerre.

It is the second transfer for the Gunners after also signing Vasiriki Abou Diaby. The two sides declined to disclose the fee for the transfer but said that Arsenal and Adebayor signed a "long-term" contract.

Arsenal's Coach Arsene Wenger said that "Emmanuel Adebayor is a great addition to our squad."

"He has shown in his performances with Monaco and Togo that he will add great quality to our offensive game. He is tall, good in the air and makes good runs. We are looking forward to him joining the squad when he returns from the African Nations Cup."

Adebayor's obligations with Togo for the African Nations Cup will not see him train with Arsenal for a few weeks.

"This is a great day for me. I am joining Arsenal, one of Europe’s leading teams, with a squad containing so many great players," Emmanuel Adebayor said.

"I am looking forward to working very hard for the team and I hope I can give the Arsenal fans a lot of enjoyment in the future."

Abou Diaby, the French Under-19 international midfielder, impressed Wenger with his skills, who said that people compare him to Patrick Vieira because of his similar stature.

"I like his potential, his physical power, the fact that he can win a fight in the middle of the park and the fact that he’s good going forward as well," said Arsenal's Coach.

He can be a complete midfielder... Of course he has to develop, but there is a real, real potential there. People compare him a little bit with Vieira because he has a similar stature."

"He is a little bit of a different player, but Patrick is a good role model for him; to model himself on Patrick would be in my opinion a good idea because he has that kind of stature and strength."

"He is young, but he can make quick progress and I feel he is ready for the fight."

Arsenal is believed to have paid Auxerre approximately 2 million pounds (3 million euros). A spokesman from Auxerre said that Abou Diaby dropped an offer from English Premiership Champions Chelsea.

Diaby was not included in the squad for the Premiership clash against Middlesbrough in Highbury, but Wenger said that with a couple of weeks of training he will be integrated into the team.

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