CESC FABREGAS last night led a scathing Arsenal backlash on former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor.
Speaking for the first time about Adebayor's antics during last weekend's defeat at Manchester City, the Arsenal skipper lifted his tracksuit bottom to reveal a nasty three-inch gash across his right calf.
That was the result of an X-rated Adebayor tackle and, pointing to the wound just above the ankle, Fabregas said: "I think this is a red card here. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was from Adebayor."
The £25million City striker's shameful kick in Robin van Persie's face marred the match and earned him a three-game ban.
SCARRED ... Cesc Fabregas' right leg looks a mess
But his tackle on Fabregas could have left the midfielder with a broken ankle and Fabregas, 22, was keen to make the point.
He added: "I was lucky my foot was in the air when it happened. You know this is football and it can happen. Well... it's not football but it can happen."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger blasted Adebayor's behaviour but Fabregas' gesture revealed the level of resentment towards their one-time team-mate.
Fabregas added: "All I tried to do when he was at Arsenal was to create opportunities for him to score.
"So I think I didn't do too badly for him. I don't know. It is a bit strange. We don't think about him any more. He doesn't play for Arsenal so we just have to concentrate on our game and our players."
Adebayor, who quit the Emirates in bitter fashion this summer, is also facing a further ban from the FA after running the full length of the pitch to celebrate his goal - City's third in the 4-2 win - in front of the angry Arsenal fans.
It sparked a furious reaction from the away supporters and was heavily criticised in many quarters.
Fabregas said: "No, there's never been another player who left and behaved like this.
"I have no idea why he did this. We always respected him, you know. It is difficult. He will have his own opinions. You have to ask him that. I don't really know."
The Arsenal star also refused to be drawn on speculation Adebayor, 25, had become isolated in the Arsenal dressing room.
And he insisted: "Let's just move forward. If this is true or not it just stays in the dressing room."
Even Emmanuel Eboue, a close pal of Adebayor, rounded on his fellow African star.
Last season, Togo striker Adebayor put a consoling arm around the shoulder of a tearful Eboue when the Ivory Coast ace was subbed against Wigan after a section of disgruntled Arsenal fans booed the defender.
Now, in the week when Wigan visit the Emirates again, Eboue did not mince his words about his pal.
He said: "Adebayor didn't do well and that is no good for football because you have a lot of young people who watch the game.
"But I am happy because the FA gave him a three-game ban. I know him and he will think about what has happened and will take it on.I am very disappointed about it, very disappointed."
Eboue has not spoken to Adebayor since last Saturday and may never speak to him again unless the City man calls to offer his apologies.
Former Gunner Kolo Toure, who followed Adebayor to Eastlands, felt compelled to go to the Arsenal dressing room and apologise.
Eboue added: "I haven't spoken to him since Saturday because I am very disappointed in him, it was a bad thing to do.
"In the dressing room, we were very disappointed because we don't know what happened to Adebayor.
"When he was in our team, we were together, we did everything together and so we don't know what happened.
"Kolo came into our dressing room and he said sorry to everyone and that was very nice.
"If Adebayor calls me, I'll speak with him. If he calls me, I'll say, 'Thank you, God.'
"If he doesn't call me, that's his problem. I think about my team."
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