Mancini and Balotelli in altercation

Robert Mancini and Mario Balotelli have been involved in their first altercation of the 2012-13 Premier League season.

The Manchester City boss admitted to shoving the Italian front man down the tunnel after a 1-1 stalemate with Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Mancini played down the latest in a string of incidents between the pair, who were reacquainted following two seasons together at Inter Milan, which is thought to have been sparked by the five minutes Balotelli was given on the pitch.

A guarded Mancini admitted to pushing Balotelli in an exchange with a journalist but said he did not know what caused the tension.

“Roberto, you definitely pushed him down the tunnel?” The journalist asked.

“Mario, it’s possible,” Mancini said.

Journalist: “No, you did!”

Mancini: “Yeah.”

Journalist: “Why would you do that?”

Mancini: “I don’t remember what happened after the game. He might have asked me about something but it’s not important.”

Journalist: “He would probably think it is though, if he’s pushed by his manager.”

Mancini: “Mario will probably think that it is important.”

Journalist: “Was he complaining because he came on so late?”

Mancini: “Probably. Tomorrow I will ask and after next time, I will say.”

Mancini and Balotelli have been involved in various altercations in the past two seasons at City, with red cards and a back-heeled effort on goal in a pre-season friendly from Balotelli causing angst.