SOCCER/News: Arsenal last night issued a public apology for the conduct of their players during the now infamous goalless draw at Old Trafford last month while privately breathing a hefty sigh of relief at the punishments they received yesterday from the Football Association.
Having initially contemplated seeing his side's championship challenge severely undermined by potentially lengthy suspensions, Arsene Wenger departed the six-hour hearing at Soho Square yesterday relatively relieved, despite seeing his defenders Lauren and Martin Keown suspended for four and three matches respectively.
The pair both admitted charges of violent behaviour, with the Cameroonian also concurring with two counts of improper conduct, and were fined £40,000 and £20,000.
Ray Parlour, who admitted two charges of improper conduct for confronting Ruud van Nistelrooy and kicking out at Quinton Fortune, received a one-match ban and a £10,000 fine, while Patrick Vieira has been suspended for one game and fined £20,000 for failing to leave the field after being sent off.
Ashley Cole, who faced a charge of improper conduct after a spat with United's Cristiano Ronaldo, escaped a suspension though he was reprimanded and fined £10,000, with all the bans to be served from Monday, November 17th.
When the club's £175,000 fine for failing to control their players was added, Arsenal departed the hearing £275,000 poorer.
The Premiership leaders were last night "considering their position" as to whether to appeal against any of the punishments, though confirmation of an acceptance of the sanctions is expected today.
As if to pave the way, they were quick to reiterate their contrition for the part they played in the ugly fracas at the final whistle in Manchester.
"The club would once again like to apologise for the conduct of its players during the match against Manchester United," confirmed an Arsenal spokesperson.
"We require our players to behave properly at all times, both on and off the field, and the club accepts that what occurred during and immediately after the match on September 21st fell well below the required standard."
Arsenal's calculated gamble to admit guilt prior to the hearing - Wenger had originally expressed his determination to fight the individual charges - undoubtedly contributed to the relative leniency of the sanctions.
Yet, while Lauren could technically have faced an eight-match ban and could therefore be seen as fortunate, Keown could count himself somewhat unlucky to have to sit out three games.
Wenger, who has seen 52 of his players sent off in his seven years in charge at Highbury, departed the hearing without comment, though he will have been well aware that both Keown and Vieira are currently carrying injuries.
Given that Vieira is not expected to be fit for another three weeks at the earliest, he may not have been available for the game at Birmingham City on November 22nd anyway.
As it is Parlour and Lauren will both be available for the trip to Leeds tomorrow and next Saturday's derby with Tottenham Hotspur at Highbury, by which time Wenger is expected to have exercised a 24-hour recall on the German full back Moritz Volz's loan at Fulham.
The 20-year-old has played six times so far this term, with the Cottagers' manager Chris Coleman last night anticipating losing a key defender who had been due to remain until January.
For the moment, Arsenal will merely be relieved to have finally put the events at Old Trafford behind them.
"Arsene Wenger strives to ensure that his players do not cross the line which divides committed play from improper or violent conduct," added an Arsenal spokesperson. "The players are instructed not to allow themselves to be provoked and are reminded that their triumphs have come when they have not allowed themselves to be distracted from the game.
"The players also accept responsibility for their own actions and Martin Keown, Lauren, Patrick Vieira, Ray Parlour and Ashley Cole would like to use this opportunity to apologise for their conduct," the spokesperson added.
United have vowed to contest the charges of improper conduct still faced by Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs and have requested personal hearings for both although no date has been set by the FA as yet to discuss their part in the trouble.
Guardian Service
The infamous five
LAUREN
Four-match ban
£40,000 fine
MARTIN KEOWN
Three-match ban
£20,000 fine
PATRICK VIEIRA
One-match ban
£20,000 fine
RAY PARLOUR
One-match ban
£10,000 fine
ASHLEY COLE
£10,000 fine
