Wenger - Row could help

Gunners boss tries to play down severity of team-mates' bust-up

Last updated: 25th January 2008

Howard Webb Nicklas Bendtner Emmanuel Adebayor Spurs v Arsenal Carling Cup semi final

Wenger wants to play down row

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Arsene Wenger feels the bust-up between Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner could improve Arsenal's togetherness in the coming weeks.

Adebayor appeared to butt Bendtner when the two rowed during the Gunners' 5-1 Carling Cup defeat to North London rivals Tottenham on Tuesday.

Togo striker Adebayor has escaped any FA action for the incident and Wenger has not disclosed whether there will be any internal punishment.

The Arsenal manager is now keen to draw a line under the issue and does not expect the matter to affect the team's charge for honours.

Surprised

"Disagreements are part of the game and every single manager will be surprised what has been made of that story," Wenger told the club's official website. "But that is part of being at Arsenal.

"Of course you want to deal with this internally. We want to know what kind of incident happened, but we will deal with this without any problem.

"We will even use this to be conscious of how much every incident, even a minor one, can be interpreted on the outside and that will even improve our togetherness inside the team."

Regarding any disciplinary measures to be taken against Adebayor, Wenger said: "There is always action taken if it is needed. I believe that from now on it is better for us not to talk too much about it."

Meanwhile, Gunners midfielder Denilson will be out for up to four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat to Spurs at White Hart Lane.