Post by Taxigirl on Oct 30, 2003 9:22:00 GMT
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has pleaded with The Football Association not to make an example of his players as they deal with the Battle of Old Trafford.
The Gunners admitted to nine misconduct charges relating to the Old Trafford brawl against Manchester United.
Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Ray Parlour, Lauren and Jens Lehmann will out find their fates on Thursday as The FA decide what punishment to deliver.
Wenger believes The FA must take a level-headed approach and not hit The Gunners with harsh penalties just because they are a high-profile club.
"We will try to get the best possible result from the hearing," said Wenger.
"We are not asking for preferential treatment or favouritism.
"But at the same time we do not want things to go the other way and for us to be treated as a special case and be made an example of.
"We only want what is fair and for nothing too harsh."
Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira has spoken of his frustration at facing a new spell on the sidelines after picking up a fresh thigh injury.
The Frenchman rushed back into action to face Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Champions League last week, but the plan backfired with the midfield ace sustaining a new thigh problem.
"I came back into the team a bit too quickly, to be honest," said Vieira.
"But that is nobody's fault as I really felt that I was ready to play.
"I felt fit, strong and mentally prepared.
"But these things happen sometimes and it is so frustrating for me because I do not feel like my season has started yet and I am missing one important game after another.
"Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back playing again.
"But I'm not going to tempt fate by setting myself a date for a comeback."
