Here in all its glory…

It’s pretty bad. Fortunately for RVP he didn’t get it full in the face – could’ve taken an eye out. Let’s hope the FA throw the book at him – I’d love a ten match ban.

More on this:

Manchester City’s sensational 4-2 victory over Arsenal, maintaining their 100% winning start to the season, was soured tonight when Arsenal’s Robin van Persie accused his former team-mate, Emmanuel Adebayor, of committing a “mindless and malicious stamp” on him.

Adebayor, who scored City’s third goal, looked lucky to stay on the field in the 70th minute when his apparent assault went unseen by referee Mark Clattenburg. Replays suggested that Adebayor knew what he was doing when his right foot made contact with a prone Van Persie, though he denied it after the game. If Clattenburg confirms he did not see the incident, the FA could ban Adebayor on video evidence.

There was clearly contact close to the Dutchman’s eye and he needed treatment for a facial wound. Van Persie said: “I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

“He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful. He has shown a real lack of class today, to me and the fans.”

Arsenal supporters were further infuriated when, 10 minutes after the stamping incident, Adebayor taunted them after scoring to put City 3-1 ahead. He ran 100 yards to celebrate in front of the visitors, and later apologised for his behaviour. “To be honest I’m very sorry for all this,” he said, admitting “sometimes the emotion takes over”. There were minor scuffles involving fans and stewards.

Adebayor said his collision with Van Persie was unintentional but the Arsenal man was unconvinced. “I do feel lucky that I have not suffered a greater injury,” he said. “The contact was only centimetres from my eye. I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It’s bad for the game we all love. I want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with the result of today’s match. We do not hide from that disappointment but I need to speak out about his behaviour.”

EDIT – I’ve also now found a gif of his celebration and abuse form the Arsenal fans:

The fact he ran 80 yards to do this makes it all the worse – but look at the animalistic rage of the Arsenal fans! Just horrible.

These two events coupled together make that 10 game ban seem all the more realistic…