Source: Telegraph
Samir Nasri escapes punishment but Arsenal and Hull City may be charged for fracas
Referee Steve Bennett reviewed the video evidence of the incident on Tuesday and concluded that he would not have sent off Nasri even if he had seen the France international tread on Richard Garcia. [LNB]He was also satisfied that the behaviour of Hull midfielder Nick Barmby, who responded by pushing Nasri in the side of the head, did not warrant any further action. [LNB] Related ArticlesUsmanov calls on Kroenke to make intentions clearNasri facing FA chargeArsenal 3 Hull City 0Arsene Wenger: Jack Wilshere loan to Burnley "possible"Arsene Wenger: Fabregas out for eight to ten daysSport on televisionHowever, the FA is yet to make a decision on the incident collectively and is leaving open the possibility of fining both clubs. [LNB]Even so, the verdict on Nasri will be a relief to Arsenal, who are already short of some of their main attacking options following injuries to Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas. [LNB]Nasri had already missed the opening two months of the season with a broken leg and has the versatility to play across the midfield in Arsène Wenger's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. [LNB]Arsenal directors have also stressed that Wenger will have the final say on the team's pre-season preparations next summer after the possibility of a global tour was raised at a board meeting. [LNB]The club are keen to internationalise the Arsenal brand and, given the sporting background in the United States of major shareholder Stan Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis, playing friendly matches across the Atlantic would be an obvious consideration. [LNB]Wenger, though, has consistently argued that his squad's preparations are best served by a European training camp with no long-haul flights. [LNB]It is understood that Wenger asked in the meeting about the commercial benefits, but it is unlikely there will be any matches in the US next year, particularly in a World Cup summer when many of the players will already be forced to have a shortened pre-season. [LNB]Meanwhile, Wenger said that he would be prepared to sign a striker next month who is cup-tied in Europe after admitting that he is planning in his own mind for the worst case scenario of being without Robin van Persie for the rest of the season. [LNB]Arsenal made a bid for Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh during the summer and, although the Morocco striker would not be eligible to play for Arsenal in the Champions League this season, he remains an option. [LNB]'Sometimes you think that is a bargain you cannot turn down,' said Wenger. [LNB]Of Van Persie, who has undergone surgery on his ankle, Wenger added: 'Personally I thought, 'let's put it in my head that he will not play again this season and hope that I will have a good surprise'. [LNB]"When you have such a big surgery there is one thing that is important first of all. Will he be the player he was before? We had a clear answer. 'Yes'.' [LNB]
