ARSENAL'S Ian Wright and Nigel Winterburn kept a clean sheet at the English Football Association yesterday - both escaping punishment on separate misconduct charges. And it will come as a massive relief to Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger, whose Premiership leading squad is already creaking under the strain of injuries and forthcoming suspensions.

The last thing he needed was for goal ace Wright and wing back Winterburn to be suspended.

Wright appeared before a three man FA commission despite having admitted, and indeed apologised for, disparaging remarks he made about Sheffield Wednesday's manager David Pleat earlier this season.

It followed Pleat's action in sending a video of September's Arsenal versus Wednesday clash to the FA, pointing out incidents concerning certain of the London clubs players.

And although it seems that Pleat was referring to other players and not any actions by Wright, the 33 year old England marksman's subsequent outburst on the subject was reported in several national newspapers.

One of them quoted Wright as calling Pleat "a pervert".

But after evidence was given to yesterday's hearing by the Sun's Brian Woolnough and the Daily Mirror's Nigel Clarke, FA spokesman Steve Double revealed: "There will be no further action.

"Ian Wright was warned, however, about his conduct and must be careful what he says in the future."

The controversy prone Wright, who blames the League Managers Association for putting pressure on the FA to conduct a hearing even though he had already apologised to Pleat, said: "I'm very pleased with what happened today.

"I've been treated fairly again by the FA and I'm just glad it's all over for me and Mr Pleat.

"Of course I regret what I said but only one reporter repeated it and I think the FA took that into account.

"I know it has caused a lot of distress to him (Pleat) and his family. When you see it in print it looks bad but I have already apologised unreservedly to him and it was accepted."

The FA commission, headed by disciplinary committee chief Geoff Thompson, took 40 minutes to arrive at their verdict on Wright and then nearly two hours over Winterburn's case.

The defender appeared before them facing another charge relating to the same match. Disabled Sheffield Wednesday fans had complained that he made rude gestures to them.

But Winterburn's claim was that he was only clenching his fists and celebrating an Arsenal goal. And the FA after hearing evidence from fans and police decided there was not sufficient material to find him guilty.

FA spokesman Steve Double said: "It was blot proven to the commission's satisfaction that misconduct took place."

Winterburn said: "It's obvious I've been cleared of all charges. Naturally I'm very pleased but I'm not going to talk about what was said in there.

"It is personal but I've always - said I didn't do anything to knowingly upset anybody.

Wenger, speaking earlier in the day, said: "I'm really hoping Ian Wright will not be suspended. He is indispensable to us. That is the only word."

But Wright, who has scored 20 goals this season and leads the Gunners attack against Derby at Highbury today, is still only one booking away from a two match ban.

And Arsenal, with 40 Premiership yellow cards recorded against them already this season, are facing a disciplinary test of their hopes of lifting the title.

Meanwhile, managerless Brighton could find themselves in even more trouble on Monday when the English FA hold their hearing into the October pitch invasion against Lincoln.

The Seagulls, currently nine points adrift at the foot of the third division table, may find themselves docked further points or forced to play a match behind closed doors.

This is due to the suspended sentence still hanging over the troubled club after crowd trouble forced the end of season match against York to be abandoned in April.

Brighton were charged with failing to control a crowd for the second time in six months following the Lincoln invasion on October 1st when fans interrupted play.

A three man FA Commission will hear evidence from both the club and police at the Goldstone Ground.

No decision on punishment will be announced on Monday but a verdict is expected before Brighton's next league game at home to Hull on December 14th.