Alexander Hleb has admitted an FA charge of violent conduct, and will now miss the remainder of Arsenal's season through suspension.

The Arsenal midfielder pleaded guilty to hitting Graeme Murty, the Reading captain, off the ball during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Peter Walton, the referee, missed the incident during the match, however it was highlighted on Match of the Day on Saturday, with clips appearing to show Hleb striking Murty with his open hand.

FA officials reviewed the incident retrospectively and have now charged the Arsenal winger. The resulting suspension - which rules the 26-year-old out of the games with Derby County, Everton and finally Sunderland - is a punishment Hleb would have received on the day had it been seen and punished by a red card from the referee.

An FA statement read: "Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has admitted a charge of violent conduct and will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect. Hleb was charged for his involvement in an incident with Reading defender Graeme Murty during the second half of the match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 19 April.

"The incident was not seen by referee Peter Walton. Having now watched video footage of the incident, Walton has informed The FA that, had he seen it at the time, he would have shown Hleb a red card for violent conduct."