Arsenal have been hit with a second FA charge for match disorder in less than a week after the club’s players protest around the referee during their victory over Oxford.
The Gunners were charged by the English Football Association following their tie with Newcastle six days ago and have now been hit with a second charge after beating Oxford 3-0 in the FA Cup on Monday, January 9.
Arteta sides were charged by FA for “failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” following their handball appeals during the 3-0 FA Cup win at Oxford.
Arsenal’s latest violation occurred in the 34th minute of first-half of the third-round clash at the Kassam Stadium on Monday.
The FA charge relates to a handball appeal after Eddie Nketiah’s shot was obstructed inside the penalty area by Oxford defender Elliott Moore.
Meanwhile, the strike seemed to make contact with the 25-year-old’s arm, eliciting shouts from Arsenal players and fans.
However, the match was played at the League One club’s Kassam Stadium, and there was no VAR in use for the match officials to refer to, causing referee David Coote to dismiss the appeals for a penalty and simply wave play on.
Arsenal’s players were adamant, rumbling that they deserved a penalty with the protests considered to have been taken too far.
FA has frowned at how some Arsenal players encircled referee David Coote after he denied the penalty and waved play on.
And the FA released a statement on Thursday, January 12, confirming that the Gunners have a query to answer following their misdemeanor in their victory against Oxford United.
A statement from the FA published on Thursday reads: “Regulation and Discipline update: Arsenal FC has been charged with breaching FA Rule E20.1 during its tie against Oxford United FC in The FA Cup on Monday 9 January 2023.”
“It’s alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 34th minute, and the club has until Monday 16 January 2023 to respond.”
Meanwhile, six days earlier, the Gunners were hit with a separate player conduct charge by the FA in their tie against Newcastle.
Arsenal had just drawn 0-0 with Newcastle United in a Premier League fiery encounter in which Gunners boss Mikel Arteta lost his cool on the touchline.
The FA said concerning that incident: “Arsenal has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League match against Newcastle United FC on Tuesday 3 January 2023.”
“It’s alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 95th minute, and the club has until Tuesday 10 January 2023 to respond.”
The former is still under investigation and Arsenal has until Monday, 16 January to respond to the latter.
What’s Next For Arsenal?
Arteta will need to caution his boys to be on their best behavior if they are to thrive as the Premier League leaders in their next outing against Tottenham and beyond.
Arsenal will head on for a north London derby showdown with Tottenham on Sunday, January 15. Kickoff time is 5:30 PM.
