Football: Wenger ban would be no blow - Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp insists his side will not suffer too much should Arsene Wenger fail with his appeal against a touchline ban.

The re-hearing at which the Highbury boss is contesting a 12-match suspension and heavy fine will be concluded this morning.

But whatever the outcome, the Dutchman is adamant Wenger's pitchside presence would hardly be noticed by the players.

Bergkamp said: "Whatever happens with Mr Wenger's disciplinary hearing today, we the players will make absolutely sure that it doesn't affect us.

"A ban shouldn't create problems in any case, because Mr Wenger isn't much of a shouter on the touchline.

"He leaves that to our assistant manager, Pat Rice.

"Ricey is an extremely vocal guy and has that real English football style of shouting from the touchline like a Mr Motivator.

"He has all those 'go on my son, get stuck in' type cliches in his locker."

Wenger was charged under newly-introduced FA punishment guidelines with "alleged threatening behaviour and physical intimidation" towards Taylor after the Gunners' 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light last August.

Arsenal were incensed at the late dismissal of Patrick Vieira after a clash with Williams and Taylor, in his first match as a Premiership fourth official, later reported Wenger for physically shoving him in the tunnel.

However, the Arsenal boss insists that, along with Taylor, he was simply intervening in a row developing between Henry and Williams.

Wenger made no comment as he left yesterday's hearing beyond joking that he would give his normal Press conference at Arsenal's training ground today "as long as I'm not behind bars".