Emmanuel Adebayor admits he was star-struck playing alongside Thierry Henry at Arsenal last season.

The Togo ace said: "I felt the pressure. Playing alongside Thierry, one of the best players in the world, it is not always obvious. You're a little afraid of not doing well, losing the ball. I tried to adapt, it took some time. So yes, the departure of Henry freed me, in a certain way.

"I have taken on more importance in the group. And everybody has taken responsibility this season.

"Also everyone takes a great deal of pleasure in how we play. Arsene (Wenger) puts a lot of emphasis on that, on the pleasure of playing. Scoring is not the most important thing, I should integrate in the game of the team, that I should play for my teammates."