Wolves manager Mick McCarthy insisted it was time for everyone to stop “bitching and whingeing” about tackles after his defender Stephen Ward suffered a gashed leg following a challenge by Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas.

The Black Country side have been criticised in some quarters for their approach this season, with Fulham captain Danny Murphy naming Wolves among a trio of clubs whose managers, he claimed, sent their players out too pumped up.

However, they were on the receiving end tonight as Arsene Wenger and Fabregas apologised for the Spain midfielder’s tackle on Edwards during Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Molineux.

McCarthy felt the apology brought an end to the matter, and would not join the chorus calling for a crackdown on tough tackling.

He said: “Fabregas has gone for the ball. It is one of those when two blokes are running at full tilt and you slide in and he has got a cut on his leg.

“Fabregas has been in to apologise and Wardy has accepted it like a man and I wish everyone would stop whingeing about tackling and complaining.

“It wasn’t a bad tackle. I’ve no problem with it at all. It happens.”What I can’t do with is everyone bitching at my players and my team when we tackle.

“Just stop whingeing and accept it. Fabregas has been in and Wardy has accepted it and isn’t it lovely?

“I said to Arsene I’ve no problem with the tackle and I really appreciate the apology.”

Wolves fans were incensed by the touchline challenge by Fabregas on Ward, who was immediately substituted.

Wenger said: “I think it was an accidental tackle. That’s what Cesc told me. He touched him (Ward) of course but he wanted to play the ball.

“He went to the dressing room and apologised to the player and he is all right.

“I have not seen the tackle yet but I have just apologised to McCarthy if the player is injured because I didn’t know exactly what had happened because the linesman was in my view.

“Cesc says to me it was completely accidental but he still went to see the player to see how badly he was hurt. It doesn’t mean he feels guilty.”

Wenger was delighted for his team to get back on the winning trail after the shock home defeat by Newcastle thanks to two goals from Marouane Chamakh.

The Arsenal chief said: “He was not sharp against Newcastle and I only played him for an hour after he had been sick for all the previous week.

“I thought he would be sharper tonight. If you look back since the start of season, he has been decisive in many games.

“We went early into the lead and the victory was so important for us tonight that the focus was more on defending and keeping the result safe.

“If you look at the game, we had many chances but I must say you have to give credit to Wolves.

“They are good defensively, they are good at winning the ball back and they always looked dangerous. They will give problems to anyone in this league.”

McCarthy added: “I add that to the list of games where we played well and got nothing.

“We’ve got to score when we play as well as that. (Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz) Fabianski was brilliant tonight.”