Soccer: Manchester City have once again found themselves in the uncomfortable position of having to play down a training ground scuffle.

The latest came as Roberto Mancini's side were completing preparations for Wednesday's crucial trip to Arsenal and involved former Gunners team-mates Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure.

Adebayor is thought to have reacted to a tackle from the centre back.

Up to half a dozen team-mates moved in to quell the row, forcing City to insist there was no major issue and the matter had quickly been sorted.

“There was an incident but it was nothing different to what goes on at all clubs," a spokesman said. "Training carried on and they (Toure and Adebayor) shook hands afterwards.”

Quite possibly, City are correct in their assertion that perception of discontent is someway short of reality.

However, the fact remains, that the club's Carrington training complex is accessible through public bridleways and therefore can be filmed every day thus making scenes like today's, which the club insist happens at all rival outfits on a regular basis, are viewed by a far greater audience than would normally be the case.

It is only a month since Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng had to be separated in similar fashion, while this season City also gained unwanted headlines for a prank involving Nigel de Jong.

It is unlikely to affect Mancini's team selection on Wednesday night though and Adebayor was unlikely to be involved against his former club anyway as he seems set to end his unhappy spell at Eastlands during the current transfer window.

Sky Sports News are reporting Liverpool as one interested party and claim contact has been made between the two clubs with a view to a loan move for the Togolese striker to Anfield.

And Mancini may also claim that no matter what the pictures may indicate morale within the City camp is good, a fact emphasised by City's current position of second in the Premier League, trailing leaders Manchester United only on goal difference.