Arsenal are trying to have Arsene Wenger’s misconduct charge dealt with speedily so Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest is included in any ban.
The Gunners manager has until 6pm on Friday to respond to an FA charge over his foul-mouthed dressing-room rant at referee Mike Dean on Sunday. The official had awarded West Bromwich a controversial penalty, which Jay Rodriguez converted to nick a 1-1 draw.
And Arsenal’s response to the FA was being finalised on Thursday night in the hope Wenger is sentenced this week and potentially avoids missing an extra Premier League game. Wenger, who is set for a lengthy touchline suspension, is ready to accept the charge to ensure a quick conclusion.
It seems inevitable that Wenger will be handed a lengthy touchline suspension. However, a stadium ban is not being ruled out by the FA.
If Wenger is hit with stadium restrictions, the visit to the City Ground could be the first game the Frenchman misses as Arsenal manager.
Meanwhile, the Gunners boss found himself in further hot-water with the FA on Thursday after disciplinary chiefs asked him to provide his observations on comments made before and after Wednesday’s clash with Chelsea.
Wenger launched a fresh attack on Dean on Tuesday, saying:
‘He saw what he wanted to see and we have to deal with that.’
The Arsenal manager also hinted towards a refereeing conspiracy against his team during the pre-match press conference.
And then after the clash against the Blues, the Gunners chief branded referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to award Chelsea a penalty as ‘farcical’.
Wenger could face another FA charge if disciplinary chiefs aren’t satisfied with his explanation, though any punishment will be a fine rather than a ban.