Sports
Nicklas Bendtner Named the Arsenal Teammate he Never Liked & Fought on the Pitch
Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner admitted that he once fiercely clashed with former teammate Emmanuel Adebayor during his career. Despite being just a year apart in age, the two often found themselves competing for the same spot in Arsenal’s attack. Their rivalry came to a head during a heated on-field confrontation in a 2008 Carling Cup match against Tottenham.
In 2020, Bendtner revisited his turbulent relationship with ex-Arsenal teammate Adebayor, shedding more light on their infamous clash. The now 37-year-old Dane, who made 171 appearances for the Gunners between 2005 and 2014, revealed that while he rarely harboured animosity towards other players, Adebayor was the one exception.
What Happened Between Bendtner and Adebayor
Their simmering rivalry erupted in January 2008 during a heated Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham. The flashpoint came in Arsenal’s penalty area, leaving Bendtner with a cut on the bridge of his nose and blood staining his shirt. Tensions boiled over late in the match as Arsenal, trailing 4-1, prepared to defend a corner. Bendtner—who had earlier scored an own goal—and Adebayor began jostling near the far post.
The altercation escalated, with reports suggesting Bendtner was headbutted by his teammate before captain William Gallas intervened, separating the two. Gallas, visibly frustrated, also confronted Bendtner, while Eduardo da Silva and Bacary Sagna pulled Adebayor away. The incident left a bitter taste as Arsenal crashed out of the cup to their North London rivals with an eventual 5-1 scoreline. For Bendtner, it remains a moment of frustration and one that has been difficult to forgive or forget.
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Bendtner vs Adebayor at Arsenal |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Bendtner |
Adebayor |
|
Games |
171 |
142 |
|
Goals |
47 |
62 |
|
Assists |
22 |
18 |
Bendtner Reflects On Fractured Relationship With Adebayor
Speaking exclusively to Arsenal’s ‘In Lockdown’ podcast back in 2020, the Dane explained the truth behind the controversial incident. “He’s not really my cup of tea,” Bendtner said. “I got on with most people in the team and made some really good friends, but me and him? Probably not so much.
“I remember him being substituted on and I think there was a key moment where I don’t think the ball had been passed to him. There was a heated exchange of words where a lot was said between us, and then we squared up to each other. Then he sort of push headbutted me, so he sort of pushed me away while headbutting me on the nose. Then Gallas came in, split us up and took us apart.”
“I was very upset. I mean, we had such a poor performance, I think we lost 5-1. I was disappointed enough with myself and the team about the performance we gave, so that [incident] obviously didn’t do anything to help,” he added. “We tried to talk to it through in the dressing room but not so much words… more something else. Then we got separated and called into the boss’ office the next day. We got fined and that was the end of it. We didn’t really have any encounters at all from that moment.
“We never tried to patch things up,” he added. “We learned to have the respect for the club and the team. That we would be on the same team, we would give everything when we were on the pitch together, but we wouldn’t be friends. “It’s not like if he was through on goal I wouldn’t pass the ball to him, that would never have been an effect from my point of view. I would always have passed in the greater good. We sort of just learned to play having it the way we had it, with the respect and understanding of the group.”
In an interview in the same year with TalkSPORT, as per Daily Mail, Bendtner also tried to make a positive take on the incident. He said: “It got explained how we had to learn how to deal with each other on a professional level and on a personal level. It was actually quite a good way of learning how to work with someone that you really disliked.”
Stats via Transfermarkt
Sports
Everton Exploring Deal To Sign Gabriel Jesus From Arsenal
Everton have been exploring the possibility of signing an Arsenal star this summer, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari, as they ramp up efforts to improve their forward lines.
The Toffees have been hard at work to land some new options for David Moyes, with Hayden Hackney set to join from Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £25 million.
While he will improve the midfield, he is likely to be joined by Tyrique George, who is set to make his loan move from Chelsea permanent after the club agreed a fee below his original buyout clause in his deal.
Further additions could now follow up front, with Gabriel Jesus the latest to be linked with a move to Everton.
Everton Explore Gabriel Jesus Transfer
According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, Everton are now exploring a move for Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus as the next option to bolster the squad’s forward options.
The Brazilian striker has entered the final 12 months under contract at the Emirates Stadium, and could leave this summer, if clubs match the asking price set by the Gunners.
It’s claimed that the Toffees are only looking into a deal as things stand, and it’s unclear whether that will result in a firm bid made for the serial winner.
Jesus was a transformative signing for Arsenal when he made the switch from Manchester City, reflected in his £265,000-a-week wages that made him one of the top earners at the club.
The versatile star largely played as a centre-forward and added a mixture of skill and physicality that had been lacking from the team up to that point.
Arsenal quickly became title challengers, and while they finally got a bid over the line last season, Jesus has seen his influence slowly dwindle over time.
That has mainly been due to injury issues and a general decline in form that has stemmed from it. Now, he could leave Arsenal, with Everton hopeful he could have the same impact on them if he does move to Merseyside.
You scored
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Gabriel Jesus Is A Risky Transfer Prospect
While Gabriel Jesus could offer plenty of quality, there is a real risk that comes with such a transfer for Everton heading into this summer’s market.
The forward has consistently struggled with injury issues, meaning his impact will need to be greater in the moments that he will be available for.
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Everton are busy in the summer window.
So far, the signs at Arsenal have shown little to suggest he could do that. Add onto that the fact that he is nearing the latter end of his peak years, and may ask for strong wages, and it creates a nightmare situation for a club like Everton if the move doesn’t work out.
Switching to young talent for the future may bring a greater deal of promise as well as upward mobility in the league. It remains to be seen whether the club will go ahead with a deal for Jesus, but it could prove a risky one.
Sports
Tottenham Handed Luka Vuskovic Transfer Decision Amid Exit Request
Tottenham will need to battle to keep hold of Luka Vuskovic this summer, as The Standard reports that a decision has been made on his future soon.
Recent reports claim that the defender has requested to leave Spurs, following an impressive campaign out on loan at Hamburg in the Bundesliga.
The 19-year-old has skyrocketed in stature in recent years, but is yet to make his senior debut at Tottenham, and there are now doubts over whether that may come about at all.
With the recent signings in the backline, there is now huge competition for Vuskovic, who is set to consider his future with a decision in the coming days.
Luka Vuskovic Exit Decision
With uncertainty over the future of Vuskovic, The Standard reports that the defender’s future will be resolved after Croatia’s World Cup tournament comes to an end.
It’s claimed that the centre-back is now focused on his nation’s chances in the competition, and will then look to resolve his future with Tottenham after an exit is confirmed.
Croatia take on Portugal in the round of 32, with Vuskovic featuring in one of the three games they’ve played so far, with hopes that he can still contribute in the coming clash.
Should the previous finalists lose in the next match, then Tottenham could reach a decision with the 19-year-old in the next few days.
Vuskovic has been the subject of interest from Brighton, who have made two bids for the star so far, without any luck in being able to persuade Spurs to part ways with the youngster.
Reports stated that Vuskovic has asked to leave Tottenham, but so far there has been no movement in terms of an exit, with his return to the club likely to spark discussions over his future.
It remains to be seen whether Spurs can talk the defender round to staying, or whether he will stick with his decision to leave the club in the coming weeks.
You scored
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Tottenham Must Convince Vuskovic To Stay
Vuskovic is clearly a talented player, having broken through in a position that is typically difficult to play in at such a young age.
It’s reasonable that, having made such an explosive start to his senior career, the defender is looking to keep that momentum up with another transfer.
Tottenham may find it difficult to provide the minutes he needs, given the competition around him and the requirement to win games from the start.
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That said, at 19, Spurs need to provide a vision of a pathway that he can go on to keep him. The club have bought into these youngsters with the idea of them developing into superstars.
To cash in on Vuskovic at this stage would be to pull out of that plan without seeing it through to completion. Given his long contract, there is a chance to keep hold of him for the long-term future.
It remains to be seen whether the Lilywhites can do that, with a big few days ahead.
Sports
Rayan Cherki Appears to Ignore Didier Deschamps After 3-0 Win vs Sweden
France further cemented their status as the 2026 World Cup favourites with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden in the Round of 32 on Tuesday – but an eyebrow-raising incident between head coach Didier Deschamps and one of his players has gone viral on social media.
Kylian Mbappe produced another inspired performance as Les Bleus booked their place in the last 16, where they will face Paraguay at the Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday.
The Real Madrid superstar scored two more goals and now sits level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi on six goals in the race for the Golden Boot award. He also improved his chances of winning his first ever Ballon d’Or award as he moved two goals clear of Germany legend Miroslav Klose in all-time World Cup top scorer charts.
Only Messi (19 goals) currently has more World Cup goals to his name than Mbappe (18 goals), who has been in scintillating form since the tournament began last month.
Cherki Appears to Blank Deschamps
With so many top players at his disposal, though, Deschamps has a battle on his hands to keep everyone happy – including several stars who haven’t had much playing time.
One of those star players is Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, the mercurial playmaker who only came on for the final five minutes against Sweden.
Despite the fact the tie had effectively been wrapped up when Mbappe made it 3-0 in the 74th minute, Deschamps waited 11 more minutes before bringing on Cherki and Jean-Philippe Mateta for Michael Olise and Mbappe, respectively.
Post-match footage, recorded from the stands, appears to show Cherki blanking Deschamps as his manager approached him. Watch the clip below:
Why Cherki Might be Frustrated With His Manager
Football fans on social media believe the footage is clear evidence that Cherki is frustrated with his lack of playing time at this summer’s showpiece tournament.
“Damn, Cherki hates Deschamps,” one fan wrote on X (Twitter). “I don’t even blame him, he’s treated him horribly.”
Cherki, 22, played the final 25 minutes in France’s 4-1 win over Norway. In the game before that, against Iraq, the former Lyon star came on in the 68th minute. And in the opening match against Senegal, Cherki replaced Desire Doue in the 87th minute.
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The numbers don’t lie. It’s clear that Cherki is lower down Deschamps’ pecking order than France’s other attacking stars.
However, the Man City ace – who is one of six contenders to win the coveted Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award following an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League – couldn’t hide his frustration after the Sweden game and will be hoping for more minutes in the next game against Paraguay.
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