Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has played down a reported spat between himself and Mario Balotelli following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

The City boss was thought to have pushed Balotelli down the tunnel after the striker had approached him at the end of the match at the Etihad Stadium.

"I don't remember what happened after the game," The Mirror quotes Mancini as saying.

"I don't know if he was asking me something. That's not ­important. Mario thinks it was important, probably. I don't know. Tomorrow I'll ask him."

Premier League champions City are now four points off the top of the table following their fourth draw of the season.