Emmanuel Adebayor could return to Arsenal s squad for Saturday s Premier League game against Blackburn Rovers – just days after again hinting his future may lie away from The Emirates, writes Jem Maidment. The Togo international, who is recovering from a

Emmanuel Adebayor could return to Arsenal's squad for Saturday's Premier League game against Blackburn Rovers - just days after again hinting his future may lie away from The Emirates, writes Jem Maidment.

The Togo international, who is recovering from a hamstring strain which has kept him out since the goalless draw at Tottenham on February 8, annoyed fans last summer by openly coveting a move to AC Milan or Barcelona.

The striker, who missed last night's Champions League match at Roma, said this week he wanted to "repay" Arsenal for their loyalty, before leaving the door open for a summer move.

"I knew that Milan and Barcelona were interested in me but in the end I chose Arsenal," he said this week.

"Arsenal are a club that I want to repay with important victories for having allowed me to become one of the great players in world football.

"I find myself well here, even if, as I say in life, you can never know what will happen in the future."

Blackburn, who travelled to Fulham last night, have lost to Aston Villa and Manchester United in recent weeks but will provide a stern test for an Arsenal side without a home league win since a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on January 10.

Arsene Wenger has praised his side's defensive improvement which has yielded 10 clean sheets in 14 games prior to last night's Champions League game in Rome, and has called on his squad to push for a strong finish to the season.

"You judge a season at the end of the season," said the Arsenal manager. "It is down to us in the coming months to show that we have the necessary quality and that people were too quick to write us off.

"We are quite solid defensively, but I believe it is down to achieving a good balance between attack and defence. We always have an offensive attitude and sometimes that is the best way so you do not come under pressure defensively."

1