Football
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger unlikely to face action for Jose Mourinho push

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is unlikely to face any disciplinary action from the Football Association for pushing Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in a touchline bust-up during Sunday's Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, according to Press Association Sport.

Wenger confronted Mourinho in the technical area after a foul on Alexis Sanchez by Gary Cahill midway through the first half.

The Frenchman later accepted he gave the Chelsea boss a "little" push, but defended his actions.

The two managers had to be separated by fourth official Jon Moss before they were called over by referee Martin Atkinson, who warned that any further transgressions would see them sent to the stands.

Because the referee dealt with the matter as he saw it during the match, Press Association Sport understands that the FA is unlikely to open a disciplinary case unless the officials' report highlights something extraordinary.

However, it is expected that English football's governing body will write to both clubs after the game's kick-off was delayed by around 15 minutes when a flare was let off outside the away entrance.

Turnstiles were closed so smoke could clear before fans were allowed back into the corner of the Shed End.

Arsenal lost the match 2-0, their first Premier League defeat of the season. The Gunners are now eighth, just four points behind second-placed Manchester City but nine adrift of leaders Chelsea -- marking this their second-worst start to a league season under Wenger.

However, centre-back Per Mertesacker -- who was caught out of position as Diego Costa broke away for the late second goal -- believes Arsenal can learn from the Chelsea defeat and push on again after the international break.

"We were much more competitive and we defended much better [than last season, when they lost the same fixture 6-0], so that is what we can take," he said.

"But Chelsea were still better and we have to learn quickly.

"At times we were good, but not good enough to score a goal. Defensively we made two wrong decisions and we missed the final touch in the last third and the final ball -- that was the difference.

"We can take some positives out of this game, but there's still something to do. We think we are [in a better place than last season], but we have to prove it."

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