Arsenal await punishment

Arsenal to defend charges

The Football Association hearing into the infamous Old Trafford fracas between Arsenal and Manchester United players is still ongoing.

The Highbury outfit are defending five of their players against a catalogue of charges as well as a charge against the club of failing to control its players.

Lauren faces a possible five-game suspension after admitting one charge of violent behaviour and two charges of improper conduct.

Martin Keown could be given a three-match ban having pleaded guilty to one charge of violent behaviour towards Ruud van Nistelrooy, although another charge of improper conduct has been dropped.

If both are banned, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger faces a defensive suspension headache starting at Leeds on Saturday.

Ray Parlour, Ashley Cole and captain Patrick Vieira have also admitted charges of improper conduct, though all three are likely to be punished by a fine.

Arsenal also face a club fine after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to control their players.

None of the five are expected to attend the hearing, with a club lawyer set to plead mitigation on their behalf, stressing their guilty pleas and remorse.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had faced a charge of improper conduct for "his behaviour towards match officials", but escaped with a warning after the charge was dropped.

Manchester United players Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs were also charged with misconduct for their part in the Old Trafford melee.

But both have vowed to fight the charges and their hearing has been set for a later date.

Arsenal, though, hope that their acceptance of the charges will lead to lenient punishments.

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The full charges and possible punishments Arsenal face at Thursday's hearing are:

Arsenal have admitted a charge of "failing to ensure the proper behaviour of their players". They face a large fine.

Martin Keown has admitted one charge of violent behaviour towards van Nistelrooy, but another charge of improper conduct has been dropped. He could face a three-match ban.

Lauren has admitted a charge of violent behaviour for "forcibly pushing Van Nistelrooy in the back following the final whistle". Also admitted two charges of improper conduct "for confronting Van Nistelrooy after Patrick Vieira's sending-off and for kicking out at Quinton Fortune following the penalty award". Another charge of improper conduct relating to actions towards Giggs has been dropped, but he could still be banned for up to five games.

Ray Parlour admitted two charges of improper conduct "for separate confrontations with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gary Neville after the final whistle". One downgraded from a violent conduct. Faces a potential two-match ban, but possibly a fine.

Ashley Cole has admitted a charge of improper conduct "for his involvement in a confrontation with Cristiano Ronaldo after the final whistle". He could face a one-match ban but, more realistically, is facing a fine.

Patrick Vieira has admitted a charge of improper conduct for "failing to leave the field of play following his sending-off". He could also face a one-match ban, but is injured in any case.

Jens Lehmann had faced a charge of improper conduct for "behaviour towards match officials", but this was being withdrawn and he will be warned to his future conduct.