For footballers, the task of choosing a favourite goal is an inherently subjective exercise, like an artist being asked to select any singularly treasured canvas, but as they returned from Spain in good spirits yesterday, Arsenal's players queued up to proclaim Emmanuel Adebayor's equaliser against Villarreal as the best of his career.

The Togo striker is happy to say that his spectacular overhead kick in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday evening is the individual highlight of his career. Adebayor's technique in controlling Cesc Fàbregas's long pass on his chest with his back to goal before unleashing a devastating bicycle kick past Diego López in a single movement was so stunning that it came as a surprise to Arsène Wenger, who is not one to doubt the ability of his players. Not even Fàbregas, who picked out Adebayor with a pinpoint cross-field pass that again demonstrated his remarkable vision, saw it coming.

“Ade did everything and my ball was nothing,” Fàbregas said. “His first touch was amazing and I never expected him to do something like that. That shows you all the quality he has got.” Adebayor's quality has never been in doubt, but even he conceded that his fifteenth goal of the season represents its most beautiful manifestation. The 66th-minute strike was the product of many hours on the training ground, as well as the inspiration of a close friend from Togo.

“I don't think I've scored a better goal, but I hope to score better than that in the future,” Adebayor said. “When the ball comes you only have one or two seconds to make a decision and I think I made the right decision. When I chested the ball I saw where it was and I said to myself: 'You just have to take it'. And it went in.

“I always practise them like that in training. I've got a friend who is a good mate in Africa, Adamo Baba, he's one of the best in this situation and once he scored three goals like this in one game.'

“It's an important goal for the club. We knew it was going to be tough and it was. I'm really delighted and happy to score an away goal. It's going to be another game at home and we just have to prepare for that.”

Almost as impressive as Adebayor's finish was the resilience shown by Arsenal as they were dominated for long periods, particularly during the first half. Wenger's side may still lack experience in certain areas, but they are no longer a soft touch.

“Our performance showed personality and showed just how good we are,” Adebayor said. “In a difficult moment we still believe that we can do something and we can still come back. In the second half we showed character, personality and desire. We love playing for this club and that's why we did well [on Tuesday].

“The sign of a great side is to get a result when things are not going well for you. This proves we're still learning, we're growing up as a team and as a family.”

Fàbregas went as far as describing his team-mates as warriors, but admitted that he needs a few matches before he returns to his best after three months out with a medial knee ligament injury.

“I feel really proud as we didn't play well in the first half,” he said. “We realised that and when you see your team-mates playing like warriors, it's really good to play next to them. They should be proud as well.

“I don't feel 100 per cent yet as this is only my second game [since returning from injury]. I need three more games to be at my best, but definitely when you're like that you can finish the season better than the players who have played the whole season.”