Wenger was sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean after booting a water bottle down the touchline in frustration after Robin van Persie had a last-gasp equaliser disallowed for offside.

The Frenchman initially headed for the seats behind the dugout, only to find there were none, and was eventually ushered towards the tunnel as his side suffered a defeat which was very hard to take.

"I just kicked a bottle of water," said Wenger.

"I did it because I was disappointed, not because I thought it wasn't offside.

"The fourth official called the referee over and he sent me off. I don't know what to say. There were 30 seconds to go and I didn't know where to go.

"I didn't know you were not allowed to kick a water bottle, although it was a good kick."

The Gunners took the lead through Andrey Arshavin, but a Wayne Rooney penalty and an Abou Diaby own goal gave United victory.

"Coming back from 1-0 down against Arsenal was a hard task," said Ferguson.

"But we got a bit of a break with the own goal and I am delighted with the win."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised his players' response to his criticism over their early-season lack of responsibility following the 3-2 victory against 10-man Bolton.

Liverpool, who had lost two of their opening three fixtures, won with a late goal from captain Steven Gerrard after Bolton had had Sean Davis sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence with his side 2-1 ahead.

Goals from Kevin Davies and Tamir Cohen either side of a Glen Johnson effort had twice put Wanderers in front, but Fernando Torres equalised before Gerrard slammed home the winner.

Benitez said: "All our players wanted to impress and do well. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, among others, knew they needed to improve.

"We showed we have quality players and they all fought hard to show their improvement."

A goal from Nicolas Anelka just before half-time and two quickfire strikes after the interval from Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole gave Chelsea a 3-0 win over Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

"We have a possibility to win the league. We have started well but we know the season is very long," said boss Carlo Ancelotti afterwards.

Chelsea's win took them to the top of the table, ahead of Tottenham on goal difference after Spurs needed an injury-time winner from Aaron Lennon to beat Birmingham 2-1.

Lee Bowyer had earlier cancelled out Peter Crouch's opener.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, though, was counting the cost of keeping intact his side's 100% start to the season.

Ledley King suffered a groin strain, while influential midfielder Luka Modric limped off in the second half with what was confirmed yesterday as a broken leg.

Redknapp said: "If we lose Ledley and Modric with Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate already out, the squad is a bit short."

In Saturday's other games, Dave Kitson's goal gave Stoke a 1-0 win over Sunderland, Blackburn picked up their first point of the season with a goalless draw against West Ham and Wolves and Hull drew 1-1.