Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defended Theo Walcott after his gesturing to the Tottenham away fans during their FA Cup win.
There was a controversial end to what had been a fiercely contested north London derby when Walcott was taken off on a stretcher with a knee injury.
Walcott was treated by medical staff onto a stretcher, before being taken around behind the Arsenal goal, in front of the Spurs fans - some of whom threw objects, which appeared to include coins and plastic bottles.
Walcott signalled a "2-0" gesture with his hands, before donning an Arsenal scarf as he was carried on around the stadium.
"The doctors said to me that the coins had been raining over his (Walcott's) head and they had to protect him, maybe that is why he did that. Yes (the coins came before the gesture) that is what I have been told," said Wenger.
"After that, what he did is not offensive. You look for every single incident, I can understand that, but it is an action that didn't offend anybody.
"I have seen the pictures after the game and it does not even look aggressive, he is smiling."
Wenger, though, maintained this situation did not merit any disciplinary action.
"My response will be simple, they (FA) have seen the pictures on television. If they judge it offensive, what can I say?" the Arsenal boss added.
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood, meanwhile, revealed in his post-match press conference he had not witnessed the incidents.
Sherwood said: "Someone just mentioned it to me in there. I didn't see it.
"Is that what he did? Well, listen I don't know Theo, I don't know him as a lad. It could have been a bit of banter, possibly.
"If they (Tottenham fans) did then it's a problem, isn't it? If they didn't then it's not a problem."
