THE FA have charged Arsenal for failing “to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” against Newcastle United.
The Gunners were left frustrated after they were held by the Magpies to a goalless draw on Tuesday.
GettyArsenal players surround the referee Andy Madley after a late penalty appeal was rejected[/caption]
That briefly opened up an eight-point gap at the top, but that was slashed down to five after Manchester City’s win at Chelsea yesterday.
As tensions threatened to boil over towards the end of the stalemate at the Emirates, Arsenal appealed for a penalty in the fifth-minute of additional time.
But after those appeals for handball were waved away, a large number of their players surrounded the referee Andy Madley.
Now they are set to face action from the FA for that.
A statement from the governing body confirmed: “It’s alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 95th minute, and the club has until Tuesday 10 January 2023 to respond.”
Boss Mikel Arteta was raging after the game as Arsenal had “two scandalous penalties” turned down against Newcastle.
The first came when Dan Burn tugged Gabriel Magalhaes’ shirt at a free-kick on the hour mark.
And Arsenal were screaming for a spot-kick again deep into stoppage time at the end of the game.
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A Granit Xhaka cross struck the arm of Jacob Murphy at point-blank range, with Madley again ignoring furious penalty claims, leading to the angry protest.
Arteta said: “We had two scandalous penalties [denied]. It’s not about the stronger, they are two penalties. That’s very simple.”
Arteta was then quizzed if he had spoken to referee Madley on the incidents.
He replied: “I am talking about what I’ve seen now, and it’s two scandalous penalties.”
Arteta and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe were also involved in a touchline bust-up as the Gunners pleaded for a late penalty.
But the Toon gaffer claimed there was no issue between them when giving his view on the incident.
Howe said: “I didn’t think it was a penalty and at that stage it would have been a travesty. Me and Mikel are fine.”