The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Gunners boss faces FA charge over conduct
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged following his conduct in the referee’s changing room after Sunday’s game against West Brom, the Football Association has announced.
Wenger was furious with referee Mike Dean, who had awarded West Brom a late penalty at the Hawthorns for a handball by Calum Chambers.
Jay Rodriguez converted the spot-kick to rescue a 1-1 draw for the Baggies after a James McClean own goal had earlier given Arsenal the lead.
Wenger, who is preparing his team for tonight’s game with Chelsea, has until 6pm on Friday to respond to the charge.
An FA statement read: “Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged following the West Bromwich Albion game on Sunday.
“It is alleged his language and/or behaviour in the match officials’ changing room after the game was abusive and/or improper and/or questioned the integrity of the match referee.”
Chambers was penalised after Kieran Gibbs pushed the ball on to the defender’s arm but Wenger felt his player’s action was not deliberate.
“It was very disappointing,” Wenger said yesterday, before the FA’s charge had been made.
“What is more frustrating for me is it happened many times this season – at Stoke, Watford, Man City, now West Brom.
“It is a concerning coincidence for me. That is why as well I was not at all happy with the movement the referee made as to why he gave the penalty. It did not correspond at all with what happened.
“On that front it’s a bit worrying. He saw what he wanted to see.”
Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny have an outside chance of returning from injury for tonight’s game but Sead Kolasinac will be out for two weeks after taking a knock to his ankle against West Brom.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says his club must sign players before any leave.
The head coach has bemoaned the size of his squad, given the Blues are competing in four competitions.
He said: “Our squad is not big. For this reason I think it’s impossible to send on loan one player or to sell one player, if we don’t take another player.”
Chelsea need a victory tonight to return to second place in the Premier League table, ahead of Manchester United.
Conte has no fresh injury problems but the game comes too early for defender David Luiz (knee) and forward Charly Musonda (groin), who have now returned to training.