Arsene Wenger escapes FA charge for angrily confronting referee after Arsenal’s defeat at Watford

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has escaped a Football Association charge over an angry confrontation with referee Neil Swarbrick in the aftermath of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Watford.

Standard Sport understands the Gunners boss pursued Swarbrick down the tunnel at Vicarage Road as the players left the field before entering the referees’ room with raised voices heard from outside during a heated exchange.

Wenger publicly labelled the decision to award Watford a second-half penalty for Hector Bellerin’s challenge on Richarlison as “scandalous”.

There is no formal rule against managers entering a referee’s room and so the detail Swarbrick provided in his official report was decisive in determining whether a disciplinary case was opened.

It is believed he has opted against including the dialogue with Wenger and therefore, the FA consider the matter closed.

Wenger may have avoided a possible misconduct charge but he remains under pressure from a section of Arsenal supporters following another damaging defeat.

The 67-year-old was subjected to a few shouts of ‘Wenger Out’ as he boarded the away team bus following a result which leaves the Gunners nine points behind Manchester City and below fourth-placed Watford in the Premier League table.

Troy Deeney converted the controversial 71st-minute penalty to cancel out Per Mertesacker’s first-half opener before Tom Cleverley’s stoppage-time winner.

Mertesacker gave a more measured reaction to the penalty decision than Wenger. “It is difficult at that speed,” he said.

“We need to protect Hector better in that situation. He had two against one and had to open up on his right side. The tempo makes it difficult to judge.”

Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez will be assessed today after picking up what Wenger described as “small” hamstring and thigh injuries respectively but they are both unlikely to travel to Serbia for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Red Star Belgrade.

The Gunners have a 100 per cent record in that competition, in contrast to their League form, particularly away from home. Mertesacker’s header was Arsenal’s first goal in four games on the road this season. They have already suffered three defeats – at Watford, Stoke and Liverpool.

“We had the chance today like we had at Stoke but we do not score enough goals away from home,” added Wenger.