No disciplinary action for Gallas despite tackle

Bolton were left furious by the incident, "akin to assault", which happened in the build-up to Arsenal's crucial equaliser and left Mark Davies with severe ligament damage.

The Arsenal defender William Gallas will not face retrospective disciplinary action from the English FA following his late tackle on Bolton's Mark Davies in Wednesday night's 4-2 win which put the London side on top of the table. Bolton were left furious by the incident, which happened in the build-up to Arsenal's crucial equaliser at the start of the second half, as "akin to assault", leaving Davies with severe ligament damage.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was quick to issue an apology if the incident was, as television replays suggest, a foul. However, it is understood referee Alan Wiley at the time viewed the challenge as two players coming together, and so allowed play to continue. Therefore, no separate disciplinary proceedings can be implemented. Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: "Clearly it was a foul, and closer to a red card. It was akin to assault and it changed the game.

"However, the fact is the referee has not seen it, and the lad is prostrate on the ground, and Arsenal being full of fair play as we keep hearing, have carried on, scored an equaliser. That is hard to take. I don't want to sit here and make excuses, but I have seen red cards for less." Meanwhile, Gallas' teammate Kieran Gibbs is to undergo surgery on his foot injury which will rule him out of action for the rest of the season. The defender suffered a depressed open fracture to his first metatarsal on his left foot, after a tackle with Eliaquim Manga during their Champions League match against Standard Liege in November.

Premier league strugglers Wolves have signed Belgian international midfielder Geoffrey Mujangi Bia on loan. The 20-year-old has moved from RSC Charleroi until the end of the season with an option for Wolves to make the deal permanent in the summer. He could make his debut in tomorrow's home FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace if clearance comes through in time. * With agencies