Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor netted his 30th goal of the season – and insisted he will find plenty more goals to fire the Gunners to silverware next season, writes Jem Maidment. The Togo international reached the milestone with a hat-trick in Monday

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor netted his 30th goal of the season - and insisted he will find plenty more goals to fire the Gunners to silverware next season, writes Jem Maidment.

The Togo international reached the milestone with a hat-trick in Monday night's 6-2 hammering of Derby County (see page 38) to keep Arsenal's slim hopes of the title alive.

The Gunners take on Everton on Sunday at home and finish the campaign with a trip to Sunderland next weekend, hoping Chelsea and Manchester United fail to win their final two games to have any chance of the unlikeliest comeback since their famous 1989 title triumph at Liverpool.

Adebayor admitted: "I am praying for a miracle now, but miracles can happen.

"We have put pressure on the top two and it is not too late for something amazing to happen. "Obviously, we have to hope that Chelsea and United make mistakes at the weekend - but I can promise we will not make any."

Then, after his Pride Park treble, came the defiance.

"What was also important is that we sent out a message to our rivals that despite all the disappointments we have had in the past couple of months we are sticking together and showing that we are getting better and better," he added.

"This season we may end up with nothing - but it will not look the same this time next year."

l Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman yesterday revealed he is to leave the club "to seek pastures new and embark upon fresh challenges".

Edelman's shock departure comes after eight years at the Gunners during which time he played an instrumental role in the move to The Emirates Stadium.