Arsenal have been slapped with a £40,000 fine for failing to control their players in the recent 0-0 draw with Newcastle United.

Gunners players mobbed referee Andy Madley in the 95th minute of the stalemate on January 3, convinced they should have been given a penalty.

Granit Xhaka's cross struck the arm of Jacob Murphy from a few yards away, and Madley opted against awarding a penalty.

Arsenal players reacted furiously, surrounding the official, while head coach Mikel Arteta vented his frustration on the sidelines.

A statement from the Football Association on Friday confirmed their punishment.

It read: "Arsenal have been fined £40,000 for breaching FA Rule E20.1 during their Premier League fixture against Newcastle United on Tuesday, January 3.

"Arsenal admitted they failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 95th minute. An independent regulatory commission imposed the club's sanction during a subsequent hearing."

Arsenal are also awaiting confirmation of another sanction relating to the FA Cup, having been charged for the same offence after players reacted in a similar fashion to another penalty claim against Oxford United.

 

Arsenal have been charged by the Football Association (FA) for the second time in the space of a week following their FA Cup third-round win at Oxford United.

The Premier League leaders saw off third-tier Oxford 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium on Monday through a Mohamed Elneny strike and Eddie Nketiah's double.

Arsenal were largely frustrated in a goalless first half, though, and were unhappy a penalty was not given in the 34th minute when Nketiah's shot struck Elliott Moore on the arm.

Referee David Coote dismissed the appeals of the visiting players and the incident was not revisited due to VAR not being in operation.

The FA announced on Thursday that Arsenal have been charged as a result of the conduct of their players.

"Arsenal have been charged with breaching FA Rule E20.1 during their tie against Oxford United in the FA Cup on Monday 9 January 2023," a statement read.

"It's alleged Arsenal 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."

Arsenal were hit with a separate FA charge on January 6 for failing to control their players in the aftermath of a late penalty appeal in their goalless draw with Newcastle United.

Several players surrounded referee Andy Madley when he failed to award a spot-kick for an alleged handball by Jacob Murphy in stoppage time of the Premier League match.

Mikel Arteta has also come under criticism for his behaviour on the touchline during that game.

Meanwhile, the FA is also looking into allegations of suspicious betting patterns during Arsenal's win at Oxford.

The claims centre around the booking of an Oxford player during the second half of the tie.

Arsenal, who will face Manchester City in the fourth round, are back in league action on Sunday with a north London derby showdown against Tottenham.

The Football Association (FA) will consider disciplinary action against clubs whose supporters "engage in discriminatory behaviour", including 'rent boy' chants.

It has been a familiar occurrence in recent years at Chelsea matches for opposition fans to use the chant, which in January 2022 was defined as a hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The chant was audible during Manchester City's FA Cup third-round win against the Blues on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, and City confirmed after the match they would be looking into the matter along with the FA.

A statement issued by the FA on Wednesday said it "strongly condemns all offensive, abusive and discriminatory chanting in football stadiums, and is determined to stamp this behaviour out".

Sunday's incident was the third of its kind in the space of a week, with the FA also investigating distasteful chants used by Nottingham Forest fans during their 1-1 Premier League draw against the Blues, and by Manchester United supporters during their FA Cup win against Everton, apparently aimed at former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.

The statement continued: "Today, The FA has formally written to all clubs across the Premier League, EFL [English Football League], National League, Women's Super League, Women's Championship and Steps 2-4, to remind them that it can pursue formal disciplinary action against any club whose supporters engage in discriminatory behaviour, now including the use of the term 'rent boy'.

"This important step follows the recent successful prosecution of an individual by the Crown Prosecution Service for homophobic abuse, specifically relating to the term 'rent boy'.

"The FA has now informed all clubs that it considers the 'rent boy' chant to be a breach of the FA Rules. These rules apply to the conduct of supporters at both home and away fixtures, and clubs at all levels of English football have a responsibility to ensure their spectators behave appropriately when attending matches.

"The FA takes all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and would encourage anybody who has been subject to, or a witness of incidents of discrimination, to report it to The FA, the club or the relevant authorities so it can be investigated thoroughly.

"Together English football can drive meaningful and positive change so that stadiums can be a safe and enjoyable environment for all."

Sheffield Wednesday have denied a lack of adequate stewarding contributed to overcrowding at Saturday's FA Cup tie with Newcastle United at Hillsborough Stadium, while pledging to cooperate with a Football Association (FA) investigation.

Newcastle's FA Cup campaign was cut short by a surprise 2-1 defeat to the League One side, with Josh Windass' brace eliminating the Champions League-chasing Magpies.

However, the game was marred by reports of away fans experiencing overcrowding in the Leppings Lane End – the site of 1989's Hillsborough disaster, which led to the deaths of 97 fans after a crush at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

The FA and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority have since pledged to review the reports, and the club said they would cooperate with those investigations via a statement on Wednesday.

"Further to a request from the Football Association on the afternoon of Monday January 9, Sheffield Wednesday has now submitted its comprehensive observations to the governing body following last weekend's Emirates FA Cup third-round tie with Newcastle United," the statement began.

"Whilst it is inappropriate to outline in full the details of the submission at this time, the club feels it is important to emphasise that the stewarding numbers in place within the visitors' section of the stadium exceeded the requirements of the safety certificate. 

"The allocation of tickets issued to Newcastle supporters also complied absolutely with the safety certificate.

"In addition, fewer supporters entered the visitors' turnstiles when aligned to the number of tickets allocated and sold.

"There were no reports of injuries or medical assistance required on the West Stand logged with the club's first aid operations manager before, during or after the game.

"Whilst we continue to assist and engage with the FA and explore all options, the club will be making no further comment at this time."

Mikel Arteta allayed concerns over an injury sustained by Bukayo Saka and expects more decisive displays from Fabio Vieira after Arsenal beat Oxford United 3-0 in the FA Cup.

Saka was withdrawn in the second half of a victory at the Kassam Stadium on Monday that set up a fourth-round tie at Manchester City.

Arsenal face fierce rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday and the sight of Saka limping off was a concern for the leaders.

But Gunners manager Arteta revealed the England winger is "fine" ahead of the short trip to do battle with Spurs this weekend.

Arsenal outclassed League One side Oxford following a lacklustre first-half display, Mohamed Elneny opening the scoring before the in-form Eddie Nketiah helped himself to a clinical quickfire double.

Vieira came into the starting line-up as one of seven changes made by Arteta and whipped in a brilliant free-kick for Elneny to break the deadlock with a header, then set up Nketiah for the second goal.

The midfielder has endured a frustrating start to his Gunners career due to injury, but Arteta is in no doubt he will prove to be a shrewd signing.

Arteta told ITV Sport: "He has the quality. He is a really creative player, and he can decide games in the final third. He made a difference."

Nketiah has scored four goals in as many games since the World Cup in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus, taking his tally for the season to seven.

Arteta said of the striker's form: "It is what we want from every player. I am delighted. You have to be scoring goals, and he is doing it."

He added: "We have only one [striker]. And to cope for that many months until Gabby's back is not easy. We have to make the most out of the players we've got."

Eddie Nketiah scored twice as Arsenal set up a mouthwatering FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester City by beating Oxford United 3-0.

The Premier League leaders failed to register a shot on target in the first half at the Kassam Stadium on Monday after Mikel Arteta made seven changes to his starting line-up.

They demonstrated their superior quality after the break, though, Mohamed Elneny opening the scoring before in-form Nketiah struck twice in the space of six minutes.

Fabio Vieira provided two assists in a ruthless second-half display from Arsenal, but an injury sustained by  Bukayo Saka will be a concern for Arteta ahead of their North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.

League One side Oxford had not allowed the Gunners to settle in a frantic first half that was devoid of quality.

Arsenal wanted a penalty when Albert Sambi Lokonga's shot appeared to strike Elliott Moore's arm, before Nketiah poked over the crossbar from close range.

Matt Turner came out to deny striker Matty Taylor early in the second half after the Oxford striker got in behind a static Gunners defence.

Lewis Bate then blocked Saka's goal-bound strike after some neat footwork from the England winger in the penalty area as Arsenal showed more urgency.

Mikel Arteta introduced Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko just after the hour mark, and Elneny opened the scoring moments later, heading in Vieira's whipped free-kick from six yards out.

Nketiah raced onto an excellent pass from Vieira and rounded Edward McGinty to double the lead and finished clinically again after Gabriel Martinelli set him up to put Arsenal out of sight.

Manchester City have condemned homophobic chants from some of their own supporters during Sunday's FA Cup tie with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side eased to a 4-0 victory to eliminate Graham Potter's side and set up a fourth-round tie with Premier League leaders Arsenal, should Mikel Arteta's side defeat Oxford United on Monday.

A section of home fans could be heard chanting "Chelsea rent boys", which in January 2022 was defined as a hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service.

City confirmed after the match they are looking into the matter along with the Football Association (FA).

"Manchester City strongly condemns the behaviour of a minority of fans who engaged in discriminatory chanting at today's match," a club statement read.

"We are proud to celebrate inclusivity in football and ask all fans to join us in creating a positive environment and atmosphere, where everyone is welcomed, accepted and has a fantastic matchday experience."

Sunday's incident is the third of its kind in the past week, with the FA also investigating chants used by Nottingham Forest fans during their 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea, and by Manchester United supporters during their FA Cup win against Everton.

An FA spokesperson said: "We strongly condemn the use of the term 'rent boy' and we are determined to drive it out of our game. We continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, as well as the UK Football Policing Unit, in relation to the use of this term.

"Part of our work in this area has been to provide the relevant authorities with impact statements from LGBTQ+ supporters, detailing how chants of this nature affects their experience and feeling of inclusion at football matches, so that a clearer stance and understanding on the chant can be established.

"We stand firmly against all forms of discrimination and we are striving to ensure our game is a safe environment for all, which truly embraces diversity and challenges hateful conduct both on and off the pitch."

Stevenage manager Steve Evans revealed that Sunday's stunning FA Cup triumph over Aston Villa had given club chairman Phil Wallace "the greatest day in his life".

The League Two promotion hopefuls sprung a shock at Villa Park, with two late goals securing a 2-1 comeback victory over Unai Emery's Premier League side.

Villa, who had Leander Dendoncker sent off for a foul that led to Jamie Reid's equaliser from the spot before Dean Campbell's 90th-minue winner, have now lost eight consecutive FA Cup games.

But the hosts' woes were far from the mind of victorious boss Evans, who shared a telling snippet from a conversation he had enjoyed with his employer. 

"It is really special," he told BBC Sport. "The chairman just said to me it's the greatest day in his life and he's been with the club for 26-27 years.

"It's a fantastic day for the town but we'll not kid ourselves; this is a fantastic football club and we'll enjoy the moment and these guys have treated us absolutely fantastic since we walked into the building today.

"We'll know to be humble and get on with our jobs for Saturday."

It is indeed back to reality for the fourth-tier club, who head to Harrogate next weekend as their promotion push continues.

For Villa, who welcome Leeds United on Friday, it is a stark reminder that, despite making strides since Emery's appointment in October, they still have a long way to go.

The winning goal came from a short corner as the 10-man hosts failed to close down Campbell, who struck a low shot beyond Robin Olsen.

An apologetic Emery, who made eight changes and saw his men take the lead through Morgan Sanson, said: "They were so excited to try and surprise us in the corner and they did it.

"I'm really sorry for the supporters. It's a process we are [undergoing] here and I want to create [something].

"It was really so, so disappointing. We can feel because at the end we lost everything we created in the 80 minutes."

It is the first time since 1964 that Villa have lost to a fourth-tier outfit while in the top flight.

Graham Potter admits Chelsea are "suffering" after fans were heard signing the names of former boss Thomas Tuchel and ex-owner Roman Abramovich during the FA Cup thrashing at Manchester City. 

The Blues were hammered 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, making their first exit from the famous competition at the third-round stage since the 1997-98 season.

Chelsea's latest setback continues a poor run, having lost 1-0 to City in the Premier League on Thursday to leave them with just one win in eight Premier League fixtures.

Blues fans let their feelings be known as they crashed out with a whimper, with Tuchel and Abramovich chants heard from the away end.

Head coach Potter told reporters: "The results in a small space of time aren't positive.

"You can make excuses and look for reasons, or you can say that it isn't good enough and both of those answers are correct.

"Clearly, we're suffering as a football club, and it's not nice, but it's where we are at the moment.

"We can't do anything but do our jobs better and work harder. We understand the supporters; frustration, but our job is to do our job.

"There are always other opinions, criticism and negativity, but that's part of the challenge."

 

Potter has no issue with the commitment of his players during such a difficult spell.

"This opponent is the worst opponent you can play when things aren't going well because they can make it look like you aren't trying," he added.

"I'm working with the players, and I don't feel the sense of any players with a poor attitude.

"Everyone wants to try to do better, but we're going through a bad moment and in these moments, you need somebody to blame."

Pep Guardiola has called for Graham Potter to be given more time as Chelsea manager, after Manchester City handed his opposite number a heavy FA Cup defeat.

The Blues suffered a second loss in the space of four days against the Premier League champions, losing 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Potter hit out at his critics earlier this month, stressing he needs time and patience from both fans and owner Todd Boehly in order to implement his vision.

Guardiola is in agreement, believing the circumstances he experienced in leading Barcelona to the treble in his first season in charge in 2008-09 to be unique.

"I would say to Todd Boehly, it was a pleasure to meet him, but give him time," he said. "I know results are important in big clubs but I would say give him time.

"I think the second half today is what he is and what he did in Brighton was outstanding. All the managers need time and he was right. We need time in the first season.

"I had results in Barcelona in the first season but we had Lionel Messi so one season was enough. But yes, everyone is an idiot [in football management].

"To play against Man City at the level we are at in the Carabao Cup or FA Cup is not easy. Not for Graham, Chelsea or any team."

A Riyad Mahrez double, alongside goals for Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden, helped ease City's passage into the fourth round, where Arsenal or Oxford United await.

Algeria international Mahrez in particular was in fine form, and was happy to let his World Cup-winning team-mate Alvarez take an earlier penalty before he converted his own spot-kick later.

"I was going to take the first one but Julian asked me, so I said of course he could take it," he told BBC Sport. "He’s a striker, when he scores it’s good for him. I wanted to take the second.

"Every season we try to be involved in every competition, we’re still in all of them. We have to keep going, we deserve it with the way we play."

Chelsea's poor run under Graham Potter continued as Manchester City cruised to an emphatic 4-0 victory in the FA Cup third round.

Three days on from going down 1-0 to City in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea capitulated at the Etihad Stadium.

Riyad Mahrez's stunning free-kick, Julian Alvarez's penalty and Phil Foden's close-range finish had City all but through by half-time on Sunday.

A late Mahrez spot-kick provided the fourth as City look forward to a possible fourth-round meeting with league leaders Arsenal – who must defeat Oxford United to make that tie – while Chelsea showed little sign that immediate improvement under Potter is on the horizon.

Cole Palmer should have done better early on, but City did not have to wait long for their lead – Mahrez curling a brilliant free-kick into the top-right corner after being fouled by Lewis Hall 25 yards from goal.

Kai Havertz's desperate handball gifted City a chance for a second following a VAR check, and World Cup winner Alvarez's penalty snuck in under Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Mahrez was key to an exceptional third goal to put the tie to bed, sliding a perfectly weighted pass through to Kyle Walker, whose cutback was expertly turned home by Foden.

Chelsea had their first shot in the 55th minute, but Stefan Ortega was hardly troubled by Mason Mount's effort.

At the other end, Chelsea could not avoid further damage as Kalidou Koulibaly clattered into Foden late on.

Mahrez made no mistake from the spot, slamming high down the middle to cap a superb win and a miserable day for Chelsea, who exited in the third round for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

The winners of Manchester City's FA Cup third-round clash with Chelsea will face Premier League leaders Arsenal or Oxford United.

Top-flight champions City host Chelsea on Sunday, with Arsenal's bid for a record-extending 15th FA Cup success beginning with a visit to the League One U's on Monday.

Holders Liverpool, who overcame Chelsea on penalties in the 2022 final, will head to Brighton and Hove Albion if they can get past a replay with Wolves.

Manchester United host a Reading side managed by former midfielder Paul Ince, while Tottenham head to second-tier Preston North End.

Sheffield Wednesday's prize for stunning Newcastle United is a home draw against fellow League One side Fleetwood Town, while non-League high-flyers Wrexham welcome Sheffield United.

Elsewhere, West Ham head to third-tier Derby County, and struggling Southampton will take on Blackpool after the Seasiders dumped out Nottingham Forest.

Ties will be played on the weekend of 28 January.

FA Cup fourth-round draw in full:

Preston North End v Tottenham

Southampton v Blackpool

Wrexham v Sheffield United

Ipswich Town v Burnley

Manchester United v Reading

Luton Town or Wigan Athletic v Grimsby Town

Derby County v West Ham

Stoke City v Aston Villa or Stevenage

Blackburn Rovers v Forest Green Rovers or Birmingham City

Walsall v Leicester City

Sheffield Wednesday v Fleetwood Town

Manchester City or Chelsea v Oxford United or Arsenal

Bristol City or Swansea City v Chesterfield or West Brom

Brighton and Hove Albion v Liverpool or Wolves

Fulham v Sunderland

Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley v Cardiff City or Leeds United

Cody Gakpo acknowledged he had some "sloppy moments" on his Liverpool debut, but otherwise feels he will improve over the coming weeks.

The Dutchman made his first appearance for the Reds since arriving from PSV in their 2-2 draw with Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Though he was denied an assist through a botched Toti clearing header, Gakpo effectively set up Mohamed Salah for his side's second goal.

But those incidents aside, it was something of a muted bow for the winger, and Gakpo recognised he has room to improve.

"[It was a] really great atmosphere," he told the club's official website. "For my own game, I think I showed some good moments.

"[But I also had] some sloppy moments. I can still improve on those points and keep working and try to help the team as much as I can.

"Of course, you learn the most when you're playing games, so I'm looking forward [to more]."

Goals for Goncalo Guedes and Hwang Hee-chan ensured Liverpool will face a replay at Molineux after they were held by Julen Lopetegui's visitors at Anfield.

The Reds were dominant on the ball, but defensive lapses meant strikes from Salah and Darwin Nunez were not enough to see them through to the fourth round.

Gakpo was not too disheartened, however, convinced the Reds were bright at times.

He added: "I think we played, in phases, really good football.

"We didn't score enough, so that's a pity. But I think we showed what we could do. We can still improve on some points, [so] let's work on that.

"I think we showed real team spirited, so that's good. We have to go there [to Molineux] with great determination and just go for the win."

Julen Lopetegui described Wolves' disallowed goal in their FA Cup clash with Liverpool as "impossible" after they played out a 2-2 third-round draw at Anfield.

Goals for Goncalo Guedes and Hwang Hee-chan came either side of finishes for Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah in a chaotic encounter on Merseyside.

But the visitors saw a late winner struck off for Tote Gomes, after a linesman's call deemed the corner taker to be offside in the build-up.

VAR was unable to get a suitable angle to overturn the decision and therefore let it stand, in a call that infuriated Lopetegui, who made his frustration clear afterwards.

"We have seen it, and the offside doesn't exist," he told ITV. "It's impossible, but someone has told him that it is offside. We have seen the image, and it doesn't exist.

"The decision is wrong. I make mistakes every day, and sometimes they do too. Today we have the help of VAR, and it is a pity, because I'm sorry, it's not offside."

Lopetegui was complimentary towards referee Andy Madley, telling BBC's Match of the Day he was "very polite" when he and captain Bruno Neves took the decision up after the final whistle.

"That is a good thing for me, that is not usual in Spain," he added "I love talking, only to show him the offside doesn't exist. It is very clear."

The call to cancel out the goal rankled harder for Lopetegui after Salah was effectively played onside for his own strike by a botched clearance attempt by Tote Gomes earlier on.

Lopetegui sought to draw a line under it however, adding to ITV: "It has happened now. We have to accept it. It is a pity because deserved to win against a fantastic team like Liverpool."

Eddie Howe labelled Newcastle United's latest FA Cup failure "a huge disappointment" after third-tier Sheffield Wednesday shocked the Premier League high-flyers.

Head coach Howe has taken Newcastle into the Champions League places after huge investment at St James' Park, but the Magpies were knocked out of their stride at Hillsborough.

Josh Windass scored twice to put Wednesday two goals to the good, and although Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes pulled one back, the Owls hung on for a 2-1 victory.

The result means that for a third season in a row, Newcastle have failed to get past the third round of the FA Cup, while Wednesday become the first team to beat them since Liverpool on August 31.

Newcastle lost at this stage of the cup to Arsenal in 2021, before being victims of a giant-killing when they slipped up at home to Cambridge United last season.

Howe made passing reference to having wanted to atone for the Cambridge defeat, and questioned the finishing of his players, who had 22 shots to Wednesday's nine but could not make them count.

Howe told NUFC TV: "It was a tough night for us, a really difficult game. We knew it was going to be. We created enough chances to win. I thought we had some really presentable moments. We didn't take them.

"Once they got their noses in front, it's very difficult to come back. We tried our best to do that and right to the end we were pushing, but it wasn't to be."

Howe gave League One outfit Wednesday "a lot of credit" for pulling off the upset, with the lack of precision finishing from Newcastle, who sit third in the Premier League, proving costly.

"Bruno scored, and we had numerous chances and players in positions where you'd expect them to do better, just with their quality," Howe said. "But it was a night where their goalkeeper made a number of great saves, and we missed that clinical edge that we normally have.

"It hurts because it's a cup competition, and we're out at the first round – a huge disappointment for us; especially after last year it's doubly painful.

"The intention of the lads and myself and the coaching team was to come here and win. We haven't experienced losing for a long time, and sometimes that can be a positive thing on reflection, but at the moment it's too raw to feel that way."

Newcastle still have a second chance of cup silverware, with an EFL Cup quarter-final home tie against Leicester City coming up on Tuesday.

"We're determined to try and put it right on Tuesday," Howe said.