Emmanuel Adebayor Is Suddenly Very Popular

Has anybody else noticed the long line of players exiting Arsenal these days?

First, French midfielder Mathieu Flamini bolted for A.C. Milan on a free transfer. Another midfielder, Alexander Hleb, has been rumored to head to either Barcelona or Bayern Munich, though he would prefer you shut up about it. Now come reports that Emmanuel Adebayor, the Gunners' top goal scorer last season, is drawing interest from both Barcelona and AC Milan.

It's plainly obvious why Barca and Milan would throw upwards of €30 million to get their hands on a tall 24-year-old striker who scored 24 goals in the Premier League last season. What's less obvious is why Arsenal is even considering putting Adebayor on the market, let alone allowing so many players to leave the Emirates. Has the club lost faith in the current direction Arsene Wenger is taking them? Has someone above Wenger decided that four years without a trophy is too long, and thus, drastic changes are necessary?

Selling a striker who has scored 36 goals in 78 appearances seems a little too drastic. Who's going to score the goals if he leaves? And is this a sign that the Gunners are in for a struggle next season? Yes, we thought that last year when Thierry Henry left, but this is a stranger and more problematic exodus from the Emirates than we saw last summer. Wenger better hope his wunderkinder are ready for the Premier League. They weren't ready for the Carling Cup last season.