Tony Adams admitted Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe was angry after being left on the bench for the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Defoe, rumoured to be a big money target in the January transfer window, was given just five minutes as Pompey went down at Emirates.
And Adams confirmed his England striker was barely speaking to him after not starting against the Gunners.
The Pompey boss said: "Jermain was was annoyed and angry - he's had the hump with me ever since and I wouldn't want it any other way to be honest."
Adams confirmed he had left Defoe out of his starting line-up for tactical reasons while stating no bids had been received for the former Spurs hitman. He also expects a reaction from the diminutive striker.
"He could easily turn round to me and say 'Look, you got it wrong boss because you lost.' But it's not easy being a manager and you have to make difficult decisions.
"He's a fantastic player, scores great goals but at the moment we are struggling with balance. Away at Liverpool and away at Arsenal I chose to keep him on the bench. Those are my reasons and speculate all you want but I have had no offers for Jermain Defoe, not one."
Adams, who was returning to Arsenal for the first time as a manager, also insists he does not want to sell in the window which opens on Thursday.
He added: "I am determined to hold on to all of them (his players) but I want people who want to play for Portsmouth. We're in a scrap with 14 other clubs and if they don't want to play for Portsmouth then they're no good to me.
"It's not reading the riot act, it's fact. If your head has been turned, if you're not trying everything to win games for the club then I don't want you around.
"No-one's come to see me, no-one wants away. I'm really encouraged, not with the results, but with the way they are performing."
Adams received a great reception on his return to his old club but was disappointed to come away with nothing.
"I think if we had got a draw I would have gone home a happy man," he admitted.
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