Premier League
WENGER GETS THREE-MATCH TOUCHLINE BAN
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been handed a three-match touchline ban as a result of his actions in a Premier League meeting with West Brom.
According to Sporting News, the Gurners boss was charged with misconduct by the Football Association following a contest at The Hawthorns, and he must now serve a suspension and pay a fine.
Wenger’s first game in the stands will be Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Nottingham Forest, while he will also be absent from the dugout for a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie with Chelsea and a Premier League date with Bournemouth.
A statement released by the FA read: “Arsene Wenger will serve a touchline ban for Arsenal’s next three matches after he was charged with misconduct.
“It follows an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [05/01/18] at which the Arsenal manager admitted that his language and behaviour in the match officials’ changing room after the West Bromwich Albion game on Sunday [31/12/17] was abusive, improper and questioned the integrity of the match referee. “He was also fined £40,000.”
GAMES WENGER WILL BE ABSENT FOR
Date | Opponent | Competition |
Jan 7 | Nottingham Forest | FA Cup |
Jan 10 | Chelsea | Carabao Cup |
Jan 14 | Bournemouth | Premier League |
Wenger had been angered by the match officials against West Brom after seeing his side concede a late penalty.
Mike Dean pulled up Calum Chambers for an alleged handball, which allowed Jay Rodriguez to convert from the spot and snatch a 1-1 draw for the Baggies.
Wenger took his protests from the touchline to the referees’ room afterwards, and has now paid the price.
He had vowed to contest the charge and was still standing by his comments while on pre-match press duty on Friday morning.
Wenger told reporters when quizzed on his outburst: “I’ve nothing to add, I maintain what I said. We can spend all day talking about things that aren’t important, but we want to see big games, with important players and see them refereed by top professionals.
“I try to serve this game with honestly and integrity. When I have something to say, I say it.
“I had a huge influence on them [referees] becoming professional, so that’s why I think I am allowed to be demanding.
“Imagine, I am 21 years in the game and what I’ve seen and heard in corridors – I’m surprised and shocked to be charged.”
Premier League
Five-Star Arsenal hammer Chelsea to move three points clear at the top
Ruthless Arsenal threw down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to roar three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday.
Any remaining doubts about Arsenal’s staying power were answered emphatically as Leandro Trossard gave them an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz scored two each in a dazzling spell after the break to sweep aside a dazed Chelsea.
It was a powerful statement by Arsenal who have recovered impressively from a home defeat by Aston Villa and bowing out of the Champions League and with four games remaining they are piling the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arsenal have 77 points from 34 games with Liverpool, who face Everton on Wednesday, on 74 from 33. Reigning champions Manchester City have 73 points but have two games in hand starting with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday.
It was the sixth time Arsenal have scored five or more in a Premier League game this season and in such a tight race they have a huge goal difference advantage which could prove crucial.
For ninth-placed Chelsea it was their heaviest ever defeat by Arsenal and a hammer blow in their bid to creep into a European place just days after their narrow FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City.
-Reuters
Premier League
Man United’s Rashford, McTominay doubts for Sheffield United game
Manchester United could be without forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Scott McTominay through injury when they take on bottom-side Sheffield United at Old Trafford, manager Erik ten Hag said on the eve of Wednesday’s Premier League game.
The 26-year-old Rashford had a stellar 2022-23 campaign, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and went on to be named United’s player of the year, but the England international has only netted eight times this season.
McTominay, meanwhile, has 10 goals across all competitions this season.
The duo picked up their respective injuries during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Coventry City, which United won on penalties after surrendering a 3-0 lead at Wembley.
“We had a problem with (Alejandro) Garnacho, that’s why we took him off during the game, but I think he will be fine,” Ten Hag told reporters.
“Scott we have to assess today, really doubtful. Marcus is also doubtful, and there was also an issue with Bruno (Fernandes) with the hand but I think he can make it.
“We have some doubts going into the game tomorrow.”
United are already facing a defensive crisis due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
United are seventh in the league standings with 50 points, 16 behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with six games to go. Sheffield United are fighting relegation and sit bottom, having won just three of their 33 matches.
“We have to win every game. That’s what United stands for, that is our approach, go from game to game but we have to qualify for Europe and we have two opportunities in the league and the FA Cup final,” Ten Hag said.
Ten Hag, who has taken the club to two FA Cup finals and a League Cup final, which they won, in his two seasons at the helm, also described the external criticism his side received for their display against Coventry as “embarrassing”.
“Top football is about results, we made it to a final and we deserved it not only by this game but also the other games,” the Dutchman said.
“We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck, 3-2, 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, clear. Penalties was very good and we made it to the final, it is a huge achievement.
“Twice, in two years — is magnificent. For me as a manager, four cup finals in four years. The comments are a disgrace.”
-Reuters
Premier League
Arsenal serve ‘5 Alive’ to Chelsea
Arsenal have now gone three points clear at the top of the Premier League after inflicting a humiliating 5-0 defeat on Chelsea on Tuesday night. It is the worst Chelsea team for 25 years.
The 5-0 loss by the visiting side is Chelsea’s second-biggest top flight defeat in London, after a 6-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers on 31 March, 1986. What a ruthless display by Arsenal who scored four times in incredible 18-minute spell in second half
Declan Rice and Kai Havertz scored the two best goals in the game.
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