Speaking about the post-match dust-up with Manchester United - for which six Arsenal players have been charged by the FA - the England defender insisted that United should shoulder their share of the blame for the widely-condemned turn of events.

Campbell implied that Arsenal were subject to intense provocation from their fierce rivals, and launched a strong defence of his team-mates claiming they were not the 'yobs' that they had been portrayed as.

"Certain things went on which stoked up the atmosphere even further, and in the heat of the moment we reacted," Campbell told the News of the World.

"That's an important word - reacted. We responded to what was going on out there and all I'll say is that Manchester United certainly played their part in what happened.

"We're not cheats, we're not yobs and we're not out of control.

"Do people really think we are a bunch of thugs who just go out to kick and scrap and fight and cheat our way to victory?"

Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Ashley Cole, Ray Parlour, Jens Lehmann and Lauren all face charges for their roles in the melee, while Campbell also is preparing to defend himself to the FA over his clash with Eric Djemba-Djemba in the Community Shield.

With so many players in the dock, the former Tottenham stopper admitted that it felt like the North Londoners were the victims of a witch-hunt from the top brass in the English game.

"It makes you feel like some people have an anti-Arsenal agenda," he continued.

"That they can't wait to have a go.

"It's politics - that's what it is. But it does leave you with a burning sense of injustice.

"Already this season I am back in the dock over the Djemba-Djemba incident. It is incredible."

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