Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after scoring against Tottenham during their English FA Cup fourth-round soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, yesterday. - AP

LONDON (AP):

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor's heated on-field confrontation with teammate Nicklas Bendtner during the Gunners' 5-1 loss at Tottenham was the result of the players' hunger for titles.

The two tall strikers began arguing and pushing each other during the League Cup semi-final loss at White Hart Lane last Tuesday and had to be pulled apart by teammates.

''It was just a little thing,'' said Adebayor, who responded with two goals in Arsenal's 3-0 FA Cup victory over Newcastle on Saturday. ''I tried to motivate him and he took it in the wrong way.''

Amid reports that the two players were fined two weeks' wages, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the incident had been dealt with internally and he would not reveal what, if any, action had been taken. The Football Association has examined TV footage of the incident and decided to take no action.

''What happened is already behind us. It is finished,'' Adebayor said. ''I do not want to look what happened yesterday. I want to look at tomorrow. We are all passionate about this club, we want to win something together as teammates and as friends.

"We are big guys, so we talk about it. I am No. 25 and he is No. 26, so in the dressing room we sit very close. Sometimes it does happen. A child can fight with his father and they are still friends.''