Arsène Wenger's midfield crisis deepened after Alex Song was handed a three-match ban for his stamp on Newcastle United's Joey Barton, after a review of the video evidence. The Arsenal manager, who has lost Cesc Fábregas to Barcelona, faces losing Samir Nasri to Manchester City and has Jack Wilshere out with ankle trouble, has appealed against the severity of Gervinho's suspension for his red card at St James' Park. The new signing slapped Barton during the melee that erupted after the Newcastle midfielder accused him of diving to win a penalty.
