Arsenal's Van Persie says Adebayor "set out to hurt him"

Sep 12, 2009, 21:38 GMT

London - Arsenal striker Robin van Persie says former team- mate Emmanuel Adebayor set out to hurt him when the two clashed during the match at Manchester City on Saturday.

City won the game 4-2 with former Arsenal striker Adebayor on the scoresheet for his new club.

Adebayor prompted anger from the Arsenal fans with his over-the- top celebrations after his goal, but of bigger concern was the way he lashed out at Van Persie, causing a cut on the left side of his face.

'I am sad and disappointed by my former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor's mindless and malicious stamp on me during today's match,' Van Persie said in a statement.

'He set out to hurt me today. I do feel lucky that I have not received a greater injury.

'I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made. He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful.

'The contact was only centimetres from my eye. I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It's bad for the game we all love.'

Adebayor claimed he did apologize to Van Persie.

'I was trying to kick the ball,' Adebayor said. 'I see him tackling and I don't have time to take my feet back because I'm trying to kick the ball.

'My feet touch his head. I feel sorry for him and even straight away, and at the end of the game, I said sorry.'