Former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has spoken openly about his longstanding feud with ex-teammate Emmanuel Adebayor, revealing a physical altercation between the two during a 2008 Carling Cup clash with Tottenham. Although close in age, the pair were frequently in direct competition for a starting role in Arsenal’s attack, which often led to tension.
The rivalry boiled over during the Carling Cup semi-final in January 2008, when a confrontation in Arsenal’s penalty area resulted in Bendtner suffering a bloody nose. The clash escalated after Arsenal conceded a fourth goal, with Adebayor allegedly headbutting Bendtner before captain William Gallas stepped in to break them apart. The incident occurred during a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Spurs and left a lasting scar on Bendtner.
Speaking in 2020 on Arsenal’s *In Lockdown* podcast, Bendtner confirmed he didn’t get along with Adebayor and detailed the incident: “He’s not really my cup of tea,” he admitted, adding that while he got along with most teammates, his relationship with Adebayor was notably strained. According to Bendtner, the headbutt followed a verbal spat during the match. After the game, the two were separated in the dressing room and later fined by club management.
Despite the tension, Bendtner emphasized that both players maintained professionalism on the field. “We understood we had to respect the team. If he was through on goal, I’d still pass to him,” he said. However, there was never an attempt to reconcile or develop a friendship.
In a separate 2020 interview with *TalkSPORT*, Bendtner reflected on the situation as a learning experience in managing difficult professional relationships.
**Stat Snapshot (via Transfermarkt):**
* **Bendtner (Arsenal):** 171 games, 47 goals, 22 assists
* **Adebayor (Arsenal):** 142 games, 62 goals, 18 assists
* **Combined goal contributions between the two:** Only 3 in 43 joint appearances
