UEFA has rejected Arsenal’s appeal against the two match ban that was handed to Wenger during the first leg of the Champions League play-offs vs Udinese.

During that game, our manager was stuck in the stands after being reprimanded last season for his comments about the ref in the Barcelona away match. You’ll remember that match, the one where van Persie was unfairly sent off for kicking the ball despite being offside and Abidal somehow managed to escape a red when he grabbed an Arsenal player around the neck. So naturally, although Wenger had a valid point, he was charged by UEFA.

The reason for his most recent ban: Wenger was sitting in the stands during that Udinese match and he was sending messages to Pat Rice via Boro Primorac. UEFA said that this was “not abiding by the decisions of the UEFA control and disciplinary body.” However, Arsenal officials were puzzled by this statement, given that they had apparently checked with UEFA to see if Wenger could contact his assistant coach via a third party. Arsenal claim that they were given the go ahead to do so.

Arsenal players will now have to manage without Arsene in the next two Champions League fixtures – against Borussia Dortmund and Olympiacos FC on 13th and 28th September respectively. I always think that getting off to a good start in the group stages of Europe is important, as it allows Wenger to rotate in the final games. Then again, we saw how well that worked out for us last season.

Given that Wenger won’t be present during the first two group matches, will it have a significant impact? I should hope not, but given the fragility of our side after getting thumped at Old Trafford, you never know. In addition, with a host of new signings, the team may not be working well as a group. Without Wenger there to direct them, we might have issues.

Further to Wenger’s ban, UEFA has also fined the club €10,000 for improper conduct by their officials during last month’s match against Udinese at the Emirates. It seems to me that UEFA are trying to make a statement – they want to show that clubs cannot defy them. If that is the case, then they must do something about the racism during the England match in Sofia. And the incident when Mourinho poked a Barca coach in the eye. And the mass brawl during the most recent El Clásico. And the constant issues of diving, poor refereeing, racism, time wasting and plain cheating that continues to occur in many European matches.

As for Wenger, I think he should take the advice of fellow Arsenal blogger Le Grove. If Arsenal really did receive confirmation from UEFA about using a third party to contact Pat Rice, then this is what they should have done:

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