The FA have now charged Arsenal with failing to ensure their women’s team conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, the same charge recently levelled at the men.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: A TV camera screen is seen as the players of Arsenal warm up prior to the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Manchester City Women and Arsenal Women at The Academy Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 23: A TV camera screen is seen as the players of Arsenal warm up prior to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League match between Manchester City Women and Arsenal Women at The Academy Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

During Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City, the referee inadvertently deflected the ball, allowing City to break and score their goal.

Arsenal were rightfully annoyed, surrounding the referee to protest their point that the game should have been stopped when it hit the referee.

The rules, as per the Premier League, state, “If the ball touches the referee or another match official and goes into the goal, or results in a change of possession or a promising attack, a dropped ball will be awarded.”

Alas, it is Arsenal who have been hit with yet another charge for doing exactly the same as all other sides.

The FA said, “Regulation and Discipline update: Arsenal Women FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1. The club allegedly failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 67th minute of the game against Manchester City Women on Sunday 23 January 2022 in The FA WSL. Arsenal Women FC has until Monday 31 January 2022 to respond.”

You will remember that Arsenal were charged for being upset that Stuart Atwell had sent Gabriel off against….Manchester City.

Something of a pattern seems to be emerging here.

It’s also worth noting that Jonas Eidevall, the women’s manager, has been booked three times already this season.

The same referee from that City game, Abigail Byrne, was meant to be in charge of Arsenal’s next FA WSL game against Brighton on Thursday night but has now been replaced.