Gunners consider Toure appeal

Arsenal were today deciding whether to contest Kolo Toure’s Football Association violent conduct charge for allegedly elbowing Alan Shearer.

Toure, who is accused of elbowing Shearer in the back during Newcastle’s visit to Highbury last weekend, has until 6pm tonight to respond to the charge.

He must either accept an immediate three-match ban – ruling him out of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Wolves, as well as Barclays Premiership games against Manchester United and Aston Villa – or request a hearing tomorrow.

Arsenal were considering whether Toure should plead guilty in the hope of lessening the punishment or contest the charge with a view to being exonerated.

If he is suspended, Pascal Cygan, who has been out for the past two months with a back injury, would need to recover his match fitness against Wolves in time to face United next Tuesday.