However, while Arsenal ensured their third consecutive victory as Thierry Henry also struck late on, those headlines were at least partially stolen from Campbell by the brief tunnel flare-up.

Although the incident did not appear too serious, the FA, who have already charged Campbell with misconduct this season, will await the reports from the match officials before deciding whether to launch another investigation.

Neither Arsene Wenger or David O’Leary witnessed the scuffle, which erupted after Pires went sprawling following the faintest of touches from Villa captain Olof Mellberg just before the interval.

Mellberg voiced his dissatisfaction to the French international and the verbal exchange continued after the half-time whistle went last night.

Villa assistant coach Roy Aitken and Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira waded in, possibly as peace-makers, but so too did several stewards and police officers to regain order.

Mellberg said: “Robert Pires and Thierry Henry were trying to wind me up with their talk throughout the game.

“There was an incident just before the interval but I didn’t get drawn into it at half-time, I simply made my way into the tunnel and left them to it.”

Pires added: “It was a dangerous challenge and, let’s put it this way, I didn’t shake his hand afterwards, but it’s forgotten.”

It all still revived memories of the ill-feeling between Pires and O’Leary, who clashed while the Irishman was still at Leeds, when he blew kisses at the Arsenal winger for his alleged theatrics.

Wenger, just like O’Leary, insisted that he did not witness this incident, with the Arsenal boss understandably trying to focus attention on Campbell’s exploits in both defence and attack.

“Sol is a lion on the pitch but he is sensitive as well. For a while, he was a bit upset by what happened to him,” revealed Wenger.

“But once he had decided to go on and just play, to show how strong he is, he has that kind of inner strength that helps him to get over these kind of things.

“It’s better for our confidence to be at the top of the league but it has no great significance yet.”

Arsenal made an impressive start, with Henry denied after just four minutes by Thomas Sorensen’s reflexes, while he put his next clear-cut opening just past the far post.

Fredrik Ljungberg also struck the bar before Villa, who fielded a formidable five-man midfield, started to find their feet.

The visitors comfortably held their own, with Juan Pablo Angel leading the line intelligently and going close himself, before Campbell finally struck.

When Pires’ corner was volleyed towards his own goal by JLloyd Samuel, Campbell headed home the rebound after Lee Hendrie had deflected the ball onto the bar.

O’Leary, who was without Gavin McCann through illness, observed: “JLloyd Samuel is a young lad and they do silly things like that.

“It was a big leg-up to Arsenal as they were bogged down at that stage and we were holding our own.

“Not many teams come to Highbury and can say they deserved something out of the game but I think we did. I’m very proud of my players.”