EMMANUEL Adebayor has apologised for his goal celebration in Manchester City's 4-2 win over Arsenal at Eastlands this afternoon.

Adebayor headed home the decisive third goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross before charging the full length of the field to celebrate in front of the Arsenal supporters who spent the afternoon baiting him.

“To be honest, I'm very sorry for all this,” said the £25million striker.

“Sometimes, the emotion takes over. That's what happened. I was very happy to score the goal. Before the game, people have been saying and writing things and the emotions took over.

“People who love me and know me know how I behave.”

It seems certain the Football Association will be in touch with Adebayor about his celebration, which Arsene Wenger admitted was “not welcome”.

“But his attitude and behaviour are out of my control,” added the Frenchman.

Yet, if the FA take a dim view of his challenge on Robin van Persie just before Craig Bellamy's goal, the striker could be in big trouble.

Van Persie required treatment for a facial wound after being caught on the side of his face by Adebayor's boot.

It did seem there was some element of intent, although Wenger was not well placed to comment.

“I have heard about it on the radio,” he said.

“But I have not actually seen the incident because the ball moved away pretty quickly. I will have to look at it and assess it.”

City boss Mark Hughes also said he had not seen the incident but admitted he would be disappointed if it was allowed to overshadow a thrilling victory.

“We are hopeful that the game itself will be the shining light rather than any one incident,” said Hughes.

“We do not want it to cast a shadow on an outstanding game, but we will have to see what happens.”

Those incidents do promise to sour City's weekend after they emerged victorious from an entertaining game, in which five goals were scored in an amazing half-hour second-half blitz.

City were leading through Manuel Almunia's bizarre own-goal when Van Persie equalised and appeared to set Arsenal up for victory.

Instead, Craig Bellamy swept City in front and once Shaun Wright-Phillips, who had already failed to capitalise on some brilliant skill from Adebayor, added another to the Togo man's fourth goal of the season, suddenly it was the Blues who were cruising.

Arsenal refused to lie down though. Tomas Rosicky scored on his first appearance for 20 months, and with Adebayor clearing off the line to deny Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen striking a post, the visitors might easily have had a point.
“Emmanuel was outstanding today,” purred Hughes.

“Amid some high quality goals, perhaps the best piece of skill was his run down the byline to set up Shaun Wright-Phillips for the chance he missed. If that had gone in, it would have been goal of the season.

“He is an outstanding talent and the best in the world at what he does.”