Striker banned from Arsenal clash as FA take 'violent conduct' stance for action against Liverpool man

Arsenal are set to take on Preston North End in the upcoming Carabao Cup Round of 16 later this month but the Championship outfit have been handed a blow with a striker slapped with a lengthy ban from the FA.

Montenegro international Milutin Osmajic made headlines at the end of September after appearing to bite Blackburn defender Owen Beck during a second tier meeting at Deepdale - the defender is on loan at Blackburn from Premier League side Liverpool this season. The 25-year-old received a yellow card during the fixture but it had been widely reported that the FA would look to take more serious action.

Preston North End star banned from Arsenal clash

That is now confirmed to be the case with Osmajic banned for eight fixtures and fined £15,000. The player admitted the charge of violent conduct.

Osmajic, who has five goals in 10 Preston North End appearances so far this season, will be able to return for the Championship match against Derby County on Saturday, November 23. He will miss fixtures against Burnley, Coventry City, Norwich City, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City, Sunderland and Portsmouth in the second tier before then.

That ban will also rule Osmajic out of the Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal on October 30 at Deepdale. Preston North End beat Premier League opposition Fulham in the tournament's last round with that clash finishing 16-15 in the penalty shootout.

FA explanation to follow in ‘due course’

Arsenal overcame League One opponents Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium last week, cruising to a 5-1 victory with a youthful squad fielded by Mikel Arteta.

The FA will publish a written explanation for the suspension 'in due course'. Preston North End have said they will make no further comment.

Prior to the ban's confirmation, Preston director Peter Risdale told talkSPORT: "We've already indicated to the player what we're doing. I want to keep that obviously in-house but you can be assured that that's not something that we condone as a football club and we've taken appropriate action."

Speaking after the incident last month, Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace said: "I haven't really seen it, he went to clear the ball and possibly caught the lad. He's [Beck] got a big bite mark on the back of his neck.

"It's a shame the referee didn't see that as well. He has been in and shown the lads. He's very disappointed to be sent off and you don't expect him to have that either. He's a bit quiet in there and a bit shaken up.

“I don't know if he spoke to the referee. I'm not sure if it was before or after the red. He might want to speak to the officials about it. It's a very serious incident, nobody likes to be bitten. Everyone is angry about it, it's not a nice situation to be in. I'm sure the right people will see it and deal with it.”