Arsenal Team Report

ARSENAL

Coach: Arsene Wenger (since 30/09/1996)

Last Result: 0-0 tie at Newcastle, August 13

Record: 0-0-1

Streak: Tied 1

Next Match: at home to Liverpool, August 20

Europe: UEFA Champions League Qualifying (Play-Off Round)

Arsene Wenger will find out by Thursday evening whether he will be charged by UEFA for breaching the conditions of his touchline ban by making contact with the Arsenal bench during Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Udinese. Wenger had to watch the Champions League play-off first leg from the stands because of the one-game ban he received as a result of his criticism of Swiss referee Massimo Busacca after last year’s controversial defeat in Barcelona. Article 70 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations state that any banned manager may sit in the stands, but “may not enter the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before or during the match, nor may he communicate with his team.” Wenger appeared to break that rule at the Emirates Stadium after he was pictured communicating to assistant Pat Rice on the touchline via first-team coach Boro Primorac in the first half. Any fine that could be imposed on Wenger will depend on whether the referee or match delegate claim the Frenchman broke the rules in their official reports, which have to be in 48 hours after the match. It is likely that those reports will be delivered on Thursday. As well as being charged for communicating with the bench, it looks certain the 60-year-old will be fined for failing to fulfil his media commitments by not giving a post-match press conference.