Soccer: Wenger slams timing of FA charge

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has slammed the British Football Association for the timing of a misconduct charge against Martin Keown.

The FA charged the defender on Friday in a move that could rule him out of the start of the new Premiership season.

The violent conduct allegations relate to two incidents during Arsenal's clash with Leeds at Highbury on May 5, when he is alleged to have elbowed Mark Viduka and stamped on lee Bowyer.

He could be banned for three games if found guilty.

Wenger said: "Firstly, I am surprised at the timing of the charge. It is something that is supposed to have happened in May and we are now nearly in August.

"It has definitely affected the way I approach our first match of the season at Middlesbrough.

"We will fight the charge, of course, but I have to plan without Martin now if there is a chance that he will not be able to play. I cannot plan a team with him in it."