Guilty Gunners gamble

ARSENAL have taken a calculated risk in an attempt to avoid a suspension crisis as they admitted guilt for the ugly scenes which marred their draw at Old Trafford last month.

The club faces a sizeable fine after admitting the overall charge of failing to control their players during the confrontational incidents which occurred during, and immediately after, the game.

While boss Arsene Wenger had previously indicated his determination to fight the individual charges facing his players, the club have now revealed they will not, in fact, be contesting any of them.

One potential explanation is the club finally realised they could not defend the indefensible. Another theory is they will appeal for leniency based mainly on their guilty pleas.

Arsenal hope that could save Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour from anything more than a one-match ban or even a fine after they admitted charges of improper conduct.

Martin Keown and Lauren will, nevertheless, still bear the brunt of the FA's disciplinary might as they admitted more serious charges.

Lauren could be banned for up to five games for one charge of violent behaviour in 'forcibly pushing Ruud van Nistelrooy in the back' and two charges of improper conduct for 'confronting van Nistelrooy' and 'kicking out at Quinton Fortune'.

Keown, meanwhile, has admitted one charge of violent behaviour towards van Nistelrooy and, although another charge of improper conduct has been dropped, still could face a three-match ban.

Lauren could originally have faced an eight-game suspension, while Keown was in danger of receiving a four-match ban, so Arsenal's approach could yet work in their favour.

After all, keeper Jens Lehmann has already escaped punishment as a charge of improper conduct for 'his behaviour towards match officials' will be withdrawn and he will only be warned about his future conduct.

Arsenal's approach contrasts with United's, who vowed to contest the charges of improper conduct faced by Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, and requested personal hearings.

The FA's website, www.thefa.com, revealed 'dates for the hearings will be scheduled in due course', although it is understood the governing body are keen to avoid any further delay.

Wenger has already apologised for his players' actions, which were sparked by van Nistelrooy's part in Vieira's sending-off and led onto goading of the United striker following his late penalty miss, and the final whistle.

However, speaking last month, the Arsenal boss insisted: "I don't say that what we did was right but people have reacted as though these players have killed somebody.

"Was there an elbow in anyone's face? Was anybody hurt? Was there an exchange of blows?

"We have to acknowledge we were out of order in our behaviour but, between that and the reaction we got, I frankly feel it's an over-reaction."

Since then, Arsenal have considered their position carefully and, having twice delayed their official response to the charges, they have decided to plead guilty on virtually all counts.

The club will hope this spares them the worst possible punishments, being feared that mass suspensions could undermine their title challenge.

It already seems clear Arsenal will not face a points deduction with which they were hit in 1990 after a brawl in the same fixture.

However, Vieira is already banned from this weekend's fixture against Chelsea due to his red card at Old Trafford and the Gunners cannot afford to lose five players at the same time next month.

The FA, meanwhile, have still not revealed whether any action is planned against Wenger, who was asked to explain his outspoken post-match criticism of van Nistelrooy.

The Frenchman had declared: "Van Nistelrooy does not help himself. He's a great player but his attitude is always provoking and diving. He looks a nice boy but, on the pitch, he doesn't always show fair behaviour."

In the meantime, FIFA has warned they could step in over the Rio Ferdinand drug case if they feel the Football Association are not handling the case properly.

The men who run world football are under pressure to demonstrate the game is as tough on drug offenders as other sports.

They are keeping a close watch on developments after the Manchester United defender was dropped from England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey last weekend and are expected to discuss the case at a meeting in Qatar tomorrow.

FIFA medical chief Jiri Dvorak stressed the governing body had confidence in the FA and would never intervene in the middle of proceedings.

But he said: "If we think it is done inappropriately we might look at it. We have the right to re-open the case. But the FA is an experienced association and each case has been worked out individually."

Their doping control committee chief Michel D'Hooghe added: "The case is serious and he certainly has to be punished."

FIFA, whose rules recommend a one-year ban for missing a test, would be responsible for imposing any FA sanction internationally.