Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue 'Very Happy' At Emmanuel Adebayor's Ban

Former Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Eboue has welcomed the three-match ban imposed by the Football Assocation on Emmanuel Adebayor for violent conduct following his stamp on Dutch forward Robin van Persie.

Eboue, understood to be a close friend of the Togo striker when they were club-mates, said he was disappointed with his former colleague and his actions.

"I am happy the FA gave him a three-game ban, very, very happy," Eboue said in The Independent.

"What he did was no good for football because you have a lot of young people who watch the game and see that. I was very disappointed [in him].

"In the dressing-room [after Saturday's match] we were very disappointed because we didn'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."

Eboue revealed that City's other former Gunner, Kolo Toure, had come in to their dressing room to apologise, whereas subsequent contact with Adebayor had been limited to the brevity of the on-field post-match exchange. Eboue admitted that he felt ex-communicated by his one-time close friend.

"Because I know him I said, 'Ok, bye-bye, all the best.' Then I got on the coach," said Eboue.

"Will I stay friends? If he calls me, I'll speak with him. But he hasn't called yet. I'll wait. If he calls me, I say 'Thank you God', if he doesn't call me, that's his problem."

Eboue did believe, however, that Adebayor would move on from the situation.

"I know him, and I know he will think about what he did, and the ban, and take it on. Now I think he will try to play his game,” he said.

Adebayor will miss Sunday’s fierce derby clash with Manchester United, as well as a League Cup tie against Fulham, and a match against West Ham United. 

The absence of Adebayor severely limits City’s attacking options, given that Mark Hughes is already without Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz who are injured.  Carlos Tevez is also doubtful, for at least the Manchester derby.

Adebayor may yet miss more matches if found guilty of a separate charge of improper conduct, following his excessive goal celebrations after he scored against his former club.

Phillip Wen, Goal.com UK