Fan charged for confronting Arsene Wenger during Arsenal defeat at Southampton

A man has been charged after allegedly confronting Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger during the Gunners' 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day.

Luke Bryant, 25, from Lymington, Hampshire, is accused of going on to an area adjacent to the pitch contrary to the Football (Offences) Act 1991.

He will appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on 22 January.

Mr Bryant allegedly approached the Arsenal boss, 65, before being led away by stewards and detained by police.

Southampton Football Club said he was an Arsenal fan who had been sitting with home supporters but Wenger said he believed he was a Saints fan.

The incident follows an episode when Wenger was abused by Arsenal fans when boarding a train after December's loss at Stoke.

The Gunners boss, in his 19th season at Arsenal, was the subject of protests by some fans earlier this season, when a banner telling him to leave the club was unveiled at West Brom in November.

A solid recent run of form has dampened criticism of the Frenchman, who guided his side to an FA Cup victory in May, Arsenal's first trophy in nine seasons.

But his side lost for the first time in five matches at Southampton as Ronald Koeman's side capitalised on two errors by Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to move fourth in the Premier League, one place and three points above their visitors.
 

Credit: BBC Sport