Arsenal don't need friendly firepower

Substitute Bendtner struck the last-gasp equaliser against Aston Villa after latching on to a knock-down from Adebayor.

The Togo frontman did not celebrate with the scorer, sparking more claims they are still at loggerheads following their astonishing on-pitch bust-up in the 5-1 Carling Cup semi-final drubbing at Tottenham in January.

Wenger, though, refused to read too much into the apparent frostiness between the players in Saturday's 1-1 draw and said: "I didn't see that. Frankly I don't know [if they are friends]. I believe they have a normal relationship but what is the most important thing in football is that you respect the game. You do what the game demands.

"The great players always do what the game wants. If I want to win and to win I have to give you the ball then if I'm a great player I still give you the ball. For me the emotional sympathy is not a big importance for the big players. They are winners and they respect the game so much it goes above liking or disliking.

"I don't know if they like each other or not but basically I don't see there is a problem. You don't have to be friends to play well together.

"I haven't seen any evidence that there is big friction there. There was one incident at Tottenham but they sorted it out.

"You have it in every team but I think they get on quite well. Once the suspicion is in people's heads they look at every single movement to see if there is a problem or not but I don't think there is a problem."

Bendtner himself does not believe that his row with Adebayor or their similar statures is proof they cannot form a partnership.

The Dane said: "I think every time I have come on, we play all right together. I think defenders have more problems because suddenly they have two big, strong guys to deal with.

"It seems that I can change things when I come on so it's good. But whether I play with Ade, or whoever plays up front, we all do what we do and give our best for the team.

"I want to help the team any way I can. If the boss wants me to do it that way then I will do it as a sub. Obviously every player wants to be in the starting 11 and I'm no different." Bendtner is likely to be a substitute again in the Champions League clash against AC Milan tomorrow, with Wenger set to play Adebayor up front and deploy Alexander Hleb in a deep-lying striker role.

Robin van Persie is also poised to be on the bench even though he has played just three games in five months because of various injuries.

The Arsenal manager believes Van Persie is fit enough to make an impact as a substitute in the last-16 fixture after returning to full training.

However, Tomas Rosicky and Kolo Toure are struggling to make the trip to Italy and Wenger will make a final decision after training today on whether to risk the pair in the second leg of the tie, which stands at 0-0.

Rosicky has been out for five weeks with a hamstring injury and Toure suffered a leg injury in the goalless first leg at Emirates Stadium 12 days ago, which was considered serious enough for the Ivorian to initially be ruled out for a month.

Milan have their own problems, with midfielder Clarence Seedorf a major doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Lazio.