Wenger backs striking pair

Boss confident over partnership

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 3rd March 2008

Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Adebayor butt heads

Adebayor and Bendtner together

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner are more than capable of forming a strike-partnership.

The two players had a high-profile on-field bust-up during their Carling Cup semi-final defeat against Tottenham.

The pair insist there is no issue between them and Wenger feels that they do not even need to be friends in order to be successful on the pitch.

"I don't know if they like each other or not - but basically I don't see there is a problem," said Wenger ahead of Tuesday's crucial UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg clash with Milan.

"You don't have to be friends to play well together.

"You have it in every team, but I think they get on quite well. But once the suspicion is in people's heads they look at every single movement to see if there is a problem or not, but I don't think there is a problem.

"I haven't seen any evidence that there is big friction there. There was one incident at Tottenham, but they sorted it out."

Duo set for Milan

With Eduardo ruled out with his broken leg and Robin van Persie short of match fitness, Wenger looks set to turn to Adebayor and Bendtner in the San Siro.

"I believe they have a normal relationship - but what is the most important thing in football is that you respect the game. You do what the game demands." he continued.

"The great players always do what the game wants.

"If I want to win and to win I have to give you the ball then, if I'm a great player, I still give you the ball.

"For me, the emotional sympathy is not a big importance for the big players. They are winners and they respect the game so much it goes above liking or disliking."