Wenger out of Chelsea showdown
Wenger relief as he escapes stadium ban
pushing the official twice. However, Sportsmail can reveal the FA wrote to all clubs in the summer, and again in November, to inform them that they must have a designated area for such situations. In this case, Arsenal should have ensured their manager was shown to the right place.
The ban means Wenger will not be in the dugout for next Saturday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea. He will also miss today’s FA Cup tie against Southampton and League games against Watford and Hull — provided today’s match does not go to a replay.
Wenger is allowed to conduct pre-match, half-time and post-match duties with his team. He is also allowed to communicate with his backroom team during the match.
Alan Pardew received a seven-game ban at Newcastle in 2014 — the longest for a manager in the Premier League era — for butting Hull midfielder David Meyler. Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was banned for five games in 2011 for comments about referee Martin Atkinson.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who has a long-running feud with Wenger, will be intrigued to see the punishment the Frenchman has received.
Meanwhile, Wenger (below) says Danny Welbeck has recovered mentally, as well as physically, from his knee injury.
The forward is set to face Southampton today in his first start since suffering the setback in May.
Welbeck’s career has been blighted by injury, with the latest one causing him to miss Euro 2016.
Wenger said: ‘At his age and in his position he was sure to go to the European Championship. What happened to him was unbelievable and he was down for a while. But now he looks to have recovered.
‘In training he still lacks a fraction of zip when he starts. But overall he looks quite fit. Most importantly, he doesn’t look scared. That’s the biggest hurdle when you come back.’
ARSENE WENGER has been hit with a four-match touchline suspension for last Sunday’s tirade but he has escaped a stadium ban.
The Arsenal manager appeared before an FA disciplinary panel yesterday after being charged with misconduct over his behaviour towards referee Jon Moss and fourth official Anthony Taylor during the dramatic 2-1 win over Burnley at the Emirates.
The Frenchman had accepted the charge but requested a personal hearing. Wenger, who apologised immediately after the match, was also fined £25,000 and Arsenal will not appeal.
In mitigation, Arsenal argued it was unclear where Wenger was supposed to stand after being sent off by Moss. In such instances, it is up to the stadium manager to direct bosses to an area from where they should watch the rest of the game.
On this occasion, Taylor approached Wenger to tell him to leave the tunnel area, with the confrontation ending in the Gunners boss