Campbell has been cited after an incident in the Community Shield on Sunday when he appeared to aim a retaliatory kick at Eric Djemba Djemba, the Manchester United midfield player. Steve Bennett, the referee, was unsighted but, after reviewing the video, has mentioned it in his match report.

Wenger is livid. “It is farcical that Sol has been cited,” he said. “It seems to me that we are living in farci-land. We will fight any charge. I am really disappointed. What about the challenge by Djemba Djemba? It was obscene. Why is no action being taken about that? “Sol was not able to train because of that challenge and he told me he was thankful that Djemba Djemba was wearing rubber studs. I am very upset and we will support Sol the whole way.”

Campbell fell foul of the FA at the end of last season, when he was sent off in the 2-2 draw with United at Highbury in April. He missed Arsenal’s closing three matches in the Barclaycard Premiership because of suspension and also the FA Cup Final victory over Southampton.

Wenger was unhappy with that ban and to lose Campbell to another so early in the new campaign would enrage him further, not least because Martin Keown, his other senior centre back, is struggling to overcome a hamstring strain. The FA, after consulting its video advisory panel, is likely to make a decision on whether to charge Campbell by the end of the week.

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