London, Sept 24: Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has branded his players "stupid" after the Old Trafford bust-up that followed Sunday's draw at Manchester United.
The Football Association has launched an investigation and the London club could see several players banned. Officials said they would study the video replays of the incidents as well as look at the referee's report.
Several Arsenal players surrounded and jostled United's Ruud Van Nistelrooy after he missed a penalty in injury time, with Martin Keown appearing to strike the Dutch forward on the back of the neck.
"There are no excuses," Hill-Wood told the Sun. "We were guilty of stupid behaviour."

Arsenal players were incensed when their captain Patrick Vieira was sent off after clashing with Van Nistelrooy and later taunted the Dutchman following his penalty miss.



"The players concerned were rather silly when you would hope they would show more intelligence," said Hill-Wood. "What makes matters worse is the fact it was senior players who were involved, experienced professionals who have played more than enough games to know not to react like that.



"All I can say in our defence is we are not a dirty side and nobody was hurt."


Bureau Report