Arsenal midfielder Alex Hleb's season came to a pre-mature end when he was handed a three-match ban by the Football Association for admitting a charge of violent conduct.

The Belarus international had been shown in the television replays slapping Reading defender Graeme Murty during last weekend's 2-0 win over Reading at Emirates Stadium.

The incident was missed by the referee Peter Walton, who on seeing the video evidence admitted he would have red-carded the winger.

Hleb will miss Arsenal's three remaining matches against Derby, Everton and Sunderland.