Arsenal lose Henry for three games

Arsenal FC's FA Premiership title challenge was dealt a blow on Wednesday as French international Thierry Henry was banned for three matches after being found guilty of improper conduct.

Shouting match
The 28-goal striker was found guilty by the Football Association's (FA) three-man disciplinary commission for an alleged outburst at referee Graham Poll after the final whistle of Arsenal's 3-1 defeat against Newcastle United FC on 18 December when Henry had to be restrained by team-mates and police officers.

'Suspended for three matches'
The FA issued a statement after the two-hour hearing at the Meridian Excelsior Hotel at Heathrow, west London, which said: `"Thierry Henry has been found guilty of improper conduct and will be suspended for three matches from 21 March. He will also be responsible for the costs of the hearing.'"

Cup clearance
The Londoners are mulling over their right of appeal. Unless they do protest, Henry will miss the home fixtures with West Ham United FC on 23 March and Sunderland AFC on 30 March, as well as the clash at Charlton Athletic FC two days later. He will not miss this Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Newcastle and the game at Aston Villa FC on 17 March.

Three-match ban
The forward played in Arsenal's 1-0 league victory against Derby County FC on Tuesday night after recovering from a groin injury that forced him to miss Saturday's 2-0 away win, but manager Arsène Wenger must now make contingency plans to counter for the 24-year-old's extended absence. Wenger said: "The suspension is very harsh and I'm very disappointed. Now we'll give ourselves a bit of time and think about an appeal."