SOCCER:Emmanuel Eboue became the third Arsenal player to receive a three-game ban for violent conduct yesterday after he was indicted for striking Chelsea's Wayne Bridge during Sunday's League Cup final.

The Ivory Coast defender's punch to the back of Bridge's head was not spotted by the referee, Howard Webb, but was caught on camera, precipitating charges on Tuesday.

Arsenal chose not to appeal, leading to yesterday's verdict, meaning he will join Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure in being suspended for the Premiership match against Reading tomorrow.

It is not likely to be the last time Arsenal are arraigned for events arising from events at the Millennium Stadium.

They must answer a charge of failure to control their players before March 14th, and the manager, Arsene Wenger, has been asked by the English FA to explain comments made after the FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.

Wenger is incensed at what he considers unjust treatment of Adebayor after he was dismissed for violent conduct on Sunday. Wenger claimed the red card was shown after a linesman accused the striker of punching Chelsea's Frank Lampard.

"We know (Adebayor) did not deserve a red card," said Wenger. "The linesman lies when he says (Adebayor) punched Lampard. What the linesman said is really lies."

Lampard endorsed the view that he had not been attacked by Adebayor.

The England midfielder's agent, Steve Kutner, said: "I've spoken to Frank and he told me that he wasn't punched."

Against this backdrop, the English FA was quick to issue a statement clarifying that Adebayor's dismissal had not been for striking Lampard at all but for an alleged intention to do so.

It pointed out that Webb had sent off Adebayor for allegedly shoving Ricardo Carvalho and for generally aggressive behaviour.

The governing body takes a stern view of those who question the integrity of match officials and, though he has been given seven days to do so, it is unlikely Wenger will be able to explain away his remarks without being charged for misconduct.

Wenger would not face a touchline ban but he would be liable to a stiff fine.

Adebayor has until next Tuesday to fight a charge of failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off.

In only five days Arsenal could be surveying the wreckage of a season that promised so much but delivered nothing.

Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup on Wednesday night in what was their third successive defeat in all competitions. Now they look to the Champions League second-round, second-leg tie against PSV Eindhoven - trailing 1-0 from the away match - for salvation.

"Two defeats in four days is hard and bitter for anyone to take but we have to try and look forward and keep on fighting," said Manuel Almunia, who kept goal in both matches.

"We have the Champions League left and, although we know it is not going to be easy against PSV, we are confident of getting through. We have to attack them and we have the ability to get the right result at home."

They have to because after the pyrotechnic farewell to Highbury last season and the fireworks of their first-ever European Cup final, Arsenal's first campaign in the Emirates Stadium threatens to be a damp squib.

They lag behind the Premiership leaders, Manchester United, by 20 points and doubts appear to be creeping into the dressingroom.

"The next few days will not be easy for us but we need to handle it," said Gilberto.

"We need to change our situation and start to win games again. We have to stick together as a group, this is an important time for everybody - the youngsters and the experienced players."

The club's defender Nigel Winterburn said there was no justice in Adebayor's dismissal, claiming the striker was an innocent party, but he acknowledges there is a danger the damage could derail Arsenal's domestic season.

"When you're playing so many games in cup competitions you will always be liable to be one or two matches away from the season being in the balance," said Winterburn.

"That's where Arsenal stand at the moment. When you are playing in all the cups at once, decisions can affect the next games."

Guardian Service