Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is asking Gunners fans and players alike not to target Emmanuel Adebayor when the controversial former striker returns to the Emirates Stadium. Adebayor was handed a three-match ban for raking his studs down the face of Arsenal forward Robin van Persie which followed an ill-advised goal celebration.
Wenger, who plucked Adebayor from relative obscurity at Monaco in January 2006 and helped turn him into one of the hottest properties in Europe, believes all that should be left in the past.
The Arsenal boss said: "I am stubborn, but not stupid - sometimes in the heat of the moment you can do things that are not right.
"It is not only Adebayor, but also Patrick Vieira and Kolo Toure - we will welcome them all back.
"We have always had the same line of conduct - to respect what they have done for us and we want our fans to respect that as well and encourage our team.
"No matter what happened in the first game, it is important that we have a positive attitude and encourage our players.
"I believe more than ever we will need the crowd to be behind us. I expect everybody to behave well."
