Could Adebayor have the last laugh over the Arsenal fans?

It’s the last minute in the final matches of the 2009/2010 season.

Arsenal and Manchester City are level on points tied in fourth place. Both are drawing 0-0 when Emmanuel Adebayor heads in for City in the final moments.

The referee blows the final whistle at the Emirates, 0-0.

Arsenal fans look up to the scoreboard praying for a late equaliser at the City of Manchester stadium. But it doesn’t come, and heads are in hands as the grim realisation that the Gunners won’t be playing in the Champions League next season hits home. And it’s all down to a player that they booed and jeered.

Of course a hypothetical situation right now, but it’s something that may be going through the mind of Arsene Wenger.

Emmanuel Adebayor was a player that Arsenal fans never truly warmed to, and after he completed his move to megabucks Manchester City the only tears to be shed, if any, were those of joy.

Adebayor claims it was the boo’s that forced him to leave Arsenal - and maybe a reported £150,000 a week contract! - But he may come back to haunt his former club in the worst possible way.

Arsene Wenger is no stranger to selling his big name players, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira being most notable. But he usually sells them on his own terms.

But Wenger has rarely sold his big players on to another English club. Most are sold abroad. Even if the Togo international joined Chelsea or Manchester United, Adebayor’s end of season influence wouldn’t have been potentially so heart-breaking. Chelsea and United have finished above Arsenal consistently in recent years. The worst that could happen if Adebayor left for one of those two clubs would be the continuation of this.

Manchester City on the other hand is the team that could break the domination of the ‘big four’. The losers may be Arsenal who finished fourth last season. It is they who should be worried, who should be looking over their shoulders. Adebayor could come back to haunt them, taunt them and ultimately daunt them.

Adebayor and Kolo Toure were important members of the Arsenal first team last season. Their departures have left a weakened and inexperienced squad many of whom seem unable to perform week in, week out. Arsene Wenger will no doubt find suitable replacements but that may take time. And if the Manchester City team gel from the start of the season the Gunners could be in trouble.

What would a season without Champions League football do to Arsenal?

Would players like Fabregas, Van Persie, Clichy, Arshavin and others be willing to stay with only the Europa League on offer?

What would the financial impact be as the Gunners continue to pay off their Emirates Stadium?

And how hard would it be to get back into the top four without Champions League on offer to new signings?

These are of course questions that no Arsenal fan will hope to see answered any time soon.

But if they are, it may be Emmanuel Adebayor that gets the last laugh over the Arsenal Crowd.