‘Bad boys’ Arsenal at the bottom of Premier League fair play table

LONDON - Arsenal has been branded the bad boys of the English Premier League after slipping to the bottom of the fair play table.

It comes after captain Cesc Fabregas escaped a red card for his shocking tackle against Stephen Ward, which left the Wolverhampton Wanderers defender with a gash above his ankle.

However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted that Fabregas did not intend to hurt Ward.

“To get a red card, you need to do on purpose a violent, reckless challenge, but Cesc’s tackle was accidental. The intention in any tackle is very important,” the Mirror quoted Wenger, as saying.

“We have seen a side of my team which will be very important this season,” he added.

It has been an aggressive season for the Gunners, where Laurent Koscielny has been sent off twice, while Alex Song and Jack Wilshere have been sent off once.

Wenger himself has served a one-match touchline ban for manhandling officials.

Only West Bromwich Albion can match Arsenal with three red cards.

It is pertinent to mention that Arsenal had finished at the top of charts last season, and third in 2008-09 season. (ANI)