I wasn't surprised by chants, says Tottenham's Adebayor

Tottenham's Togolese striker believes the best response to offensive chants is a positive performance on the field

Despite being disappointed by the abusive chants he received in Sunday'snorth London derby againsthisformer club Arsenal, Tottenham's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor is convinced the matter will not affect him.
The 27-year old hitman was taunted and mocked by some of the Gunners' supporters, which was condemned by both Tottenham and Arsenal.
“The songs that they sung about me were very bad, but was I surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes,” the 2008 African player of the year told the Sun newspaper on Wednesday.
"Obviously it was all meant to hurt me, to upset me, to anger me.
"It is sad that parents let their children hear or sing such things. As a child you are influenced by your parents' actions.
"You see them doing it and you think it is the correct way to behave. It's very sad how the memory of something so awful could be used in such an awful way.
"To be honest I wasn't surprised by it, I had been expecting something. And it didn't affect me at all. I have learnt a lot in the last few years and the best response is a positive performance,” added Adebayor who currently plays on loan with Spurs from Manchester City.
Two years ago, the former Monaco forward was heavily criticised by Arsenal fans after his exaggerated celebration when he scored for Manchester City against their team, but the recent assault came despite admitting he would not repeat that fault again.
Although he didn't find the net in Sunday's game, Adebayor is glad he contributed to Tottenham's 2-1 victory amid a hostile atmosphere.
"I just blocked it all out and concentrated on playing my best. I just hope that people remember this game for the right reasons and how well we played as it was being shown all around the world," the four-timeTogo player of the year explained.
"It'd be a great shame if they just remember the stupid songs and not the great football. I'm so glad I kept my dignity in the face of people behaving like that.
"But those chants won't ever have an effect on me. I've been through too many difficult times to let a minority of people singing silly songs affect my performance.
"But if I can survive the bullets in Angola then a few mindless insults will have little impact,” he concluded.
Adebayor, who announced his retirement from international football on 12 April 2010, played three years for Arsenal after joining them in 2006 from French side Monaco. He scored 46 goals in 105 appearances.