Wenger - Unselfish strikers help team spirit

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Arsène Wenger has praised Robin van Persie for allowing Emmanuel Adebayor to score a morale-boosting penalty at Blackburn on Saturday.

The Togolese striker got on the Premier League scoresheet for thefirst time this season when he nodded in Arsenal’s second goal justbefore half-time at Ewood Park. Van Persie had earlier slotted home aneighth-minute opener, his third of the League campaign.

Therefore when Emmanuel Ebouewas fouled in the area nine minutes from time the first-choicepenalty-taker agreed to Adebayor’s request that he should take thespot-kick. He scored and, buoyed with self-belief, the 24-year-old wenton to complete his hat-trick in injury-time.

“I like the fact that Van Persie gave him the penalty,” said Wenger afterwards.
“That is good for the team spirit as he had not scored before todayin the League this season. In the end he got a hat-trick and that willgive him the needed confidence.
“The No 1 penalty-taker is Van Persie, the No 2 is Adebayor. Butthey have the right to reverse it.

So this decision is down to VanPersie. He gave the ball to Adebayor, who had asked him if he couldtake it.

“Last week, Van Persie scored two, this weekend Adebayor scoredaswell. I believe this shows that the team has a collective spirit andeverybody can score.”