Arsenal news: Unai Emery charged by FA for kicking water bottle at Brighton fan

The Arsenal manager has been charged for inadvertently hitting a Brighton fan with a bottle

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been hit with an FA improper conduct charge after inadvertently kicking a water bottle at a fan during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton, a decision the Spaniard has said he “respects”.

Emery cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his side struggled in the second-half of the match. He immediately went to apologise to the supporter both after the incident and at the full-time whistle.

Despite Emery’s repeated apologies the FA saw fit to charge him over the incident, with a one-match touchline ban now a possibility. “Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been charged following the game against Brighton yesterday [26 December 2018],” the FA’s statement read.

“It is alleged his action of kicking a water bottle during the fixture amounts to improper conduct. He has until 6pm on 2 January 2019 to respond to the charge.”

At his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool on Saturday, Emery again expressed his regret over the incident while admitting that he would have to “respect” a one-match suspension.

“I said after the match my apologies, I kicked the bottle in frustration but not for the supporter, I kicked for me and it went near to the supporter and I said to them my apologies,” he said.

“There is not another communication. I repeat today my apologies for my individual action but I kick the bottle because it is near me, but not because it is my intention.

“I hope not [to be banned] but I have to respect the decision because it is a circumstance of my action, but not another intention from me with the supporter. I say to them my apology.”

After an impressive 22-match undefeated run in all competitions, Arsenal have started to struggle in the Premier League, winning just two of their last five matches to fall seven points behind north London rivals Tottenham, who they beat 4-2 at the beginning of the month.

Arsenal now face the daunting task of travelling to Anfield on Saturday, with table toppers Liverpool winning their last eight league games since drawing 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium on November 3.

And Emery admitted that he believes Liverpool can potentially even match Arsene Wenger's ‘Invincibles’ and go through the entire Premier League season unbeaten.

Unai Emery twice apologised to the supporter (Rex Features)

“At the moment they are doing it and they can do it,” Emery replied when asked if Klopp's side could go the Premier League campaign unbeaten.

“They can do that because they are doing it at the moment. We played against Liverpool three years ago with Sevilla in the final of the Europa League and I look at this progress and they are a very good example.

“The progression with Liverpool is clear. Three years ago, they were out of the Champions League through the Premier League and through the Europa League, because they lost against us (Sevilla).

“This progress is also one example for us, now, in our moment. But we need to be very, very demanding of ourselves to do this step quickly in our way. But we need also time and sometimes the patience is very important for us.”