The bad blood between Arsenal and Chelsea continued with a mass brawl involving their young reserve sides. The Football Association are likely to look at video evidence of the latest trouble between the two London rivals following a spate of charges after the fighting during the Carling Cup Final eight days ago. The trouble, during a rainswept 0-0 draw at Aldershot's Recreation Ground watched by 3,119 spectators, was sparked after Arsenal goalkeeper Mart Poom dropped the ball and more than a dozen players from both sides waded in. The melee ended in bookings for Chelsea's Ben Sahar and Sam Hutchinson and Arsenal's Abumere Ogogo and Gavin Hoyte, younger brother of Justin.
Chelsea's official website reported: "The game assumed full Chelsea v Arsenal status when a stand-up set-to between multiple players followed a scramble. There were no coaches on the field this time." The FA, who charged both clubs with misconduct after the Carling Cup Final brawl that saw Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho dash onto the pitch to control their players, can take action over trouble in reserve matches.
Today, Arsenal's Togan striker Emmanuel Adebayor will discover the result of an FA disciplinary charge at a personal hearing. The 21-year-old was shown a red card against Chelsea in Cardiff. He is serving a three-match domestic ban as a result and could face further sanctions for "reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off".
