STUDDY HELL ... Cesc Fabregas cries in pain as
he is challenged by Emmanuel Adebayor
Speaking for the first time about Adebayor's antics
during last weekend's defeat at Manchester City, the Arsenal
skipper lifted his tracksuit bottom to reveal a nasty three-inch
gash across his right calf.
That was the result of an X-rated Adebayor tackle and,
pointing to the wound just above the ankle, Fabregas said: "I think
this is a red card here. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was from
Adebayor."
The £25million City striker's shameful kick in Robin
van Persie's face marred the match and earned him a three-game
ban.
SCARRED ... Cesc Fabregas' right leg looks a
mess
But his tackle on Fabregas could have left the
midfielder with a broken ankle and Fabregas, 22, was keen to make
the point. He added: "I was lucky my foot was in the air when it
happened. You know this is football and it can happen. Well... it's
not football but it can happen."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger blasted Adebayor's behaviour
but Fabregas' gesture revealed the level of resentment towards
their one-time team-mate.
Fabregas added: "All I tried to do when he was at
Arsenal was to create opportunities for him to score.
"So I think I didn't do too badly for him. I don't
know. It is a bit strange. We don't think about him any more. He
doesn't play for Arsenal so we just have to concentrate on our game
and our players."
Adebayor, who quit the Emirates in bitter fashion this
summer, is also facing a further ban from the FA after running the
full length of the pitch to celebrate his goal - City's third in
the 4-2 win - in front of the angry Arsenal fans.
It sparked a furious reaction from the away supporters
and was heavily criticised in many quarters.
Fabregas said: "No, there's never been another player
who left and behaved like this. "I have no idea why he did this. We
always respected him, you know. It is difficult. He will have his
own opinions. You have to ask him that. I don't really know."
The Arsenal star also refused to be drawn on
speculation Adebayor, 25, had become isolated in the Arsenal
dressing room. And he insisted: "Let's just move forward. If this
is true or not it just stays in the dressing room."
Even Emmanuel Eboue, a close pal of Adebayor, rounded
on his fellow African star. Last season, Togo striker Adebayor put
a consoling arm around the shoulder of a tearful Eboue when the
Ivory Coast ace was subbed against Wigan after a section of
disgruntled Arsenal fans booed the defender.
Now, in the week when Wigan visit the Emirates again,
Eboue did not mince his words about his pal. He said: "Adebayor
didn't do well and that is no good for football because you have a
lot of young people who watch the game.
"But I am happy because the FA gave him a three-game
ban. I know him and he will think about what has happened and will
take it on.I am very disappointed about it, very disappointed."
Eboue has not spoken to Adebayor since last Saturday
and may never speak to him again unless the City man calls to offer
his apologies.
Former Gunner Kolo Toure, who followed Adebayor to
Eastlands, felt compelled to go to the Arsenal dressing room and
apologise.
Eboue added: "I haven't spoken to him since Saturday
because I am very disappointed in him, it was a bad thing to
do.
"In the dressing room, we were very disappointed
because we don't know what happened to Adebayor.
"When he was in our team, we were together, we did
everything together and so we don't know what happened.
"Kolo came into our dressing room and he said sorry to
everyone and that was very nice. "If Adebayor calls me, I'll speak
with him. If he calls me, I'll say, 'Thank you, God.'
"If he doesn't call me, that's his problem. I think
about my team."
