EMERY IN THE DOCK
Arsenal boss charged after bottle incident
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery has been charged by the FA for kicking a water bottle into the crowd and hitting a fan during the draw at Brighton on St Stephen’s Day.
Emery immediately apologised but the FA confirmed the charge at 5pm yesterday afternoon. Emery also went to speak to the home supporter after the incident and at full-time in the game after his frustrated kick had the unintended consequence of sending a bottle hurtling towards the Brighton support.
Emery said he hoped the FA would not take action. Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho received a one-match ban for a similar incident in 2016 but that was thought to be only one of a series of misdemeanours that contributed to the punishment.
Emery said: ‘I said yesterday my apologies. I kicked it in frustration and I said my apologies. It is one individual action. I kicked it without that intention of hitting anybody. I hope they will not [ban me] but I respect the decision of the FA. It is one circumstance and action and it was not my intention.’ Meanwhile, Emery has tipped
Liverpool to match Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles by going a whole Premier League season unbeaten. Liverpool have won 16 and drawn three of their 19 games at the halfway stage as they pull clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s clash between Jurgen Klopp’s side and Arsenal at Anfield. Wenger’s Arsenal team in 2003-04 are the last side to manage a whole undefeated season but Emery believes Klopp’s Liverpool are showing the necessary credentials. Emery said: ‘They can do that because they are doing it at the moment. ‘They are maybe in the best moment now with big confidence. But for us it is a big challenge and a good test to know who we are, the difference between them and us in the table is clear and also I want to look at the pitch.’ Arsenal will listen to offers upwards of £15million for Aaron Ramsey next month as they try to avoid losing the player for nothing. The Wales midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season and Sportsmail revealed in September that Ramsey was ready to walk away after talks over a new deal had hit a deadend. Leading clubs from Italy, France and Germany are keen on the 28-year-old — who would normally command a fee of £50m — but those advances have primarily been over a move on a free transfer next summer. French champions Paris Saint-Germain are the latest side to be credited with an interest, while Juventus, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have also made enquires.