Emmanuel Adebayor admits some cynical Arsenal fans upset him at the start of last season.

"What annoyed me the most were the bets made on our own club's internet site," he said in Abu Dhabi, where he was awarded an African Player of the Year award.

"I was not among the expected top goals corers. Certain defensive midfielders were placed above me in the scoring charts.

"But I am a striker and they should think more of me. My pride was hurt. And the work has paid off, I have scored a lot of goals - some of them extraordinary."