Thatcher suspended for Arsenal game

Manchester City have suspended Ben Thatcher for tomorrow's Premiership encounter with Arsenal.

The former Wales defender has faced a barrage of criticism for his disgraceful challenge on Pedro Mendes on Wednesday.

And after a meeting with the player and City chairman John Wardle, manager Stuart Pearce has taken the matter into his own hands.

"Manchester City can confirm that Ben Thatcher has been suspended from first team action pending the results of the club's internal investigation into the incident involving Pedro Mendes during the game with Portsmouth on Wednesday," a City statement read.

"The player will miss tomorrow's home fixture with Arsenal. Ben Thatcher fully agrees with this decision."

Thatcher has also been charged by the Football Association with serious foul play. He has until September 12th to respond.

A statement from the FA read: "The incident is being considered as an exceptional case because the FA contends that the challenge was sufficiently serious that had Thatcher been sent off, an additional sanction would have been merited."  PA