SOCCER:EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR may have played his last game for Arsenal after the Togo international, who is the subject of interest from Milan and Internazionale, was ruled out of Sunday's finale against Stoke City with the groin complaint that prevented him featuring last weekend at Manchester United.

Arsene Wenger, who yesterday received the public backing of the club’s chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, is due to meet Adebayor’s agent, Stephane Courbis, at the end of the season to discuss the striker’s future after a trying campaign at the Emirates. The 24-year-old, so impressive when scoring 30 goals last term, has been hampered by fitness and form problems and, having spoken glowingly of the prospect of a transfer last summer ahead of signing a new £80,000-a-week contract, has been the subject of frustration among a vocal section of Arsenal supporters in recent weeks.

Courbis indicated this week that he would seek talks with Wenger “to evaluate the situation”, though he was insistent that there had been no fresh contact from either of the Italian suitors. The Milan president, Silvio Berlusconi, has admitted that he is hopeful of securing the forward this summer and Inter’s coach, Jose Mourinho, is understood to have turned his attentions away from a move for Didier Drogba, his former player at Chelsea, in favour of the younger Adebayor.

Wenger expects to make several signings this summer and Adebayor’s departure, while adding to the money at his disposal, would necessitate the purchase of a replacement. The board appear to recognise as much and significant funds are expected to be made available with Gazidis, in Dubai to open a new soccer school, stressing yesterday that he would be open to Wenger remaining at the Emirates beyond the duration of his current contract, which stretches to 2011.

The pair discussed potential transfer targets earlier in the week, with Gazidis indicating that Wenger retains the board’s support. “Arsene is staying,” he said.

“We had lunch two days ago and we were both saying how much we were looking forward to next season. We can’t wait for it. He is clearly staying. We’ve said that, he said that. He has the full, unequivocal support of our board.”

Wenger’s future had been cast into doubt after Florentino Perez, who is hoping to be reinstated as Real Madrid’s president in their election this summer, revived his interest in the Frenchman, with the Arsenal manager admitting a role in Spain would be “interesting”.