London, Aug.2 : Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored 30 goals for the Arsenal Football Club last season, has decided to remain with the "Gunners" till 2012.

"When the manager and I started talking about my contract, I never told him I would be leaving this club and he knew it was my desire to stay. He's like a father to me as well as my boss and now I can tell everyone I'm staying at Arsenal because my heart is in the club," the Daily Express quoted Adebayor, as saying. "I've never told anyone I would be leaving this club, so I am very happy we have found a solution," he added. Twenty-four-year-old Adebayor was being chased by Barcelona, which was prepared to fork out 35-million pounds to secure the player. "I will sign a new contract and will be putting pen to paper in a matter of days. Arsenal has given me the chance to be who I am today, so I have to thank them," Adebayor, who joined Arsenal in January 2006 from Monaco, said.

ANI