Vieira faces FA disciplinary hearing

Arsenal will be hoping to avoid a third setback within the space of a week when Patrick Vieira faces a Football Association disciplinary hearing today.

Vieira has been charged with misconduct after allegedly verbally abusing referee Andy D'Urso when he was shown the red card at Chelsea on September 1.

The Frenchman could face a suspension if he is found guilty of the offence, which would be an added problem for Arsene Wenger, who has just seen his side lose back-to-back games against Everton and Auxerre.

Any ban could start immediately, thereby ruling Vieira out of this weekend's game at home to Blackburn - just when Arsenal need to recapture their form.

Vieira will nevertheless be defending himself at the hearing, with Arsenal also having looked into the possibility of calling a lip-reading expert to help argue their case.

Whether they take up that option still remains to be seen, although Wenger believes his captain has been harshly treated.

The Arsenal boss argued recently: "It's about an aggressive attitude. I don't know what Patrick said but his attitude didn't look aggressive towards the referee.

"In the Neil Ruddock incident at West Ham [when Vieira spat at the defender], you thought he was very close to losing it but I did not have that impression at Chelsea."

Wenger added: "I like to think you have to respect everybody but, during a game, you say things without even thinking about them.

"I don't say you should insult referees, but you cannot punish everything. You can be unjustly dealt with on some occasions and not punished at all on others."

The hearing will nevertheless effectively constitute a case of Vieira's word against that of D'Urso and the likelihood is that the official's view will be upheld by the disciplinary committee.

The FA confirmed on their website: "Arsenal's Patrick Vieira will face a hearing this Thursday regarding an incident during a match at Stamford Bridge in September.

"The FA charged Patrick Vieira with misconduct for a breach of FA rule E2, which constitutes abusive and/or insulting words to the match official.

"This followed a report from referee Andy D'Urso concerning an incident at the Chelsea versus Arsenal match on Sunday 1st September 2002."