Arsenal winger Alexander Hleb will miss the rest of the season after accepting a Football Association (FA) charge of violent conduct.
The 26-year-old Belarus international was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Reading captain Graeme Murty during Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Hleb appeared to strike the defender, but the incident was not seen by referee Peter Walton.
Hleb will now miss Arsenal’s Premier League games against Derby, Everton and Sunderland.
An FA statement said: “Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has admitted a charge of violent conduct and will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect.
“Hleb was charged for his involvement in an incident with Reading defender Graeme Murty during the second half of the match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 19 April.
“The incident was not seen by referee Peter Walton. Having now watched video footage of the incident, Walton has informed The FA that, had he seen it at the time, he would have shown Hleb a red card for violent conduct.”
