Arsenal's Gabriel banned after admitting FA improper conduct charge
Saturday 26 September 2015 15:30, UK
Arsenal defender Gabriel has been banned for one match after admitting an FA charge of improper conduct.
The defender was charged for refusing to leave the field promptly when he was dismissed by referee Mike Dean after a confrontation with Diego Costa during Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Arsenal last weekend.
Gabriel's red card and accompanying three-match suspension were rescinded, but he will now miss the Premier League trip to Leicester on Saturday.
The player, who requested a personal hearing, was also fined £10,000 and warned as to his future conduct.
Following the game, Costa, meanwhile, was found guilty of violent conduct and banned for three matches following a clash with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny.
In addition, both clubs were charged with failing to control their players during the game and had until 6pm on Thursday to respond.
The news is a blow to Arsenal ahead of the trip to in-form Leicester, but one manager Arsene Wenger admitted at the pre-match press conference he expected.
"He was sorry for what happened and very disappointed, but he is a fighter and his attitude in training the whole week was completely focused and motivated," the Gunners boss said.
"If there is no punishment we are a bit lucky, if there is a punishment I have to take it."
