Emmanuel Adebayor has apologised for his bust-up with Arsenal team-mate Nicklas Bendtner during the Carling Cup semi-final defeat at Tottenham.

Arsene Wenger's young Gunners were on the receiving end of a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of their arch-rivals, which saw an angry confrontation between the two Arsenal strikers towards the end of the match.

The incident is now being investigated by the FA, who have requested relevant television footage after referee Howard Webb confirmed he did not witness the whole event.

During the closing stages of Tuesday night's match, with the tie already lost, Bendtner, who had earlier scored an own goal, became involved in a heated altercation with his team-mate, and appeared to complain of being headbutted by the Togo international.

Arsenal captain William Gallas stepped in to try to calm matters down, before then himself being confronted by the angry young Danish striker. Eventually, referee Webb had to intervene to restore order.

Adebayor, who was handed a four-match ban after being sent off just minutes after coming on in last season's Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea, accepts tempers were allowed to boil over in the heated atmosphere, and offered an unreserved apology for his actions.

''I think that we should have been more calm during the game and although I was pleased to get a goal back for the team when I came on, I am sorry for the disagreement with my team-mate Nicklas,'' said Adebayor.

''We are both passionate about this club and sometimes that can be projected in the wrong way.

''It was a mistake. We want to focus on the games ahead and rely on our squad's great togetherness to achieve a fantastic season.''

The 23-year-old has been in fine form for the Gunners, with his goal on Tuesday night his 16th of the campaign.

Adebayor firmly believes the events at White Hart Lane will not unsettle Arsene Wenger's squad, which remains very much in the hunt for honours.

He said: ''We are a strong unit and what happened against Spurs will strengthen our desire and determination to compete for other targets.''

Skipper Gallas has called for ''upset'' Arsenal to unite from their disappointment - and knock Newcastle out of the FA Cup this weekend.

Wenger reflected afterwards the defeat was all part of the ''learning process'' and maintained he had ''no regrets'' about selection policy in a competition which is clearly not the Gunners' main priority.

However, the likes of skipper Gallas, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Hleb, Gilberto and Adebayor, all featured at some stage but their experience could not, on this occasion, help bring the best out of the likes of Justin Hoyte, Abou Diaby, Bendtner and a particularly disappointing Theo Walcott.

Gallas, though, insists now is the time to look forward and not reflect on what might have been as the Gunners saw their near nine-year unbeaten run against Spurs come to an abrupt end.

''All the young boys wanted to go to Wembley and I know it is difficult to accept,'' said the French defender.

''The fans are upset and we are upset. All the club are upset and we have to accept it.

''Now we have to be strong and forget everything because on Saturday we have another big game which will not be easy.''

Gallas declared: ''We have to be strong because Newcastle have a new manager and they want a result at the Emirates Stadium.

''For us we have to win that game because we have some ambition.''

By a quirk of the fixture list, Arsenal will face Newcastle at home twice in the space of four days, with their Barclays Premier League clash scheduled for January 29.

The Gunners trail leaders Manchester United only by virtue of goal difference and are also in line to face holders AC Milan in the knockout stages of the Champions League next month.

With Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song all at the African Nations Cup and with Dutch striker Robin van Persie injured, the last thing Wenger needs is the prospect of losing any more men.

However, should evidence be found of violent conduct by either Adebayor or Bendtner during their fracas, then a suspension could be forthcoming.