Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall labelled it “irresponsible” of Emma Hayes to accuse him of “male aggression” following a touchline row in Sunday’s Women’s League Cup final.

The Gunners successfully defended the trophy in a rematch of last year’s final, with Stina Blackstenius scoring the extra-time winner at Molineux.

However, the game was overshadowed by incidents before and after the goal.

Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum collapsed off the ball and required oxygen treatment in worrying scenes. Her club soon confirmed she was conscious and Eidevall spoke of his happiness at her speedy recovery.

The Gunners boss was also forced to defend himself from Hayes’ claim he behaved “unacceptably” after complaining that Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert had used a new ball to take a throw-in after the Blues had earlier asked for multi-ball not to be in operation during the final.

When going to shake Hayes’ hand after the full-time whistle, Eidevall was pushed back by his counterpart, who later said he should have been sent off.

“Listen, I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline, I really do,” she told reporters.

“I think it’s absolutely essential that we role model in the right way.

“I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline, I’m really not. And fronting up to players, for me, that’s unacceptable. I’m disappointed and I told Jonas that. I don’t think it’s OK to behave like that.

“He got a yellow card, and he should have probably been sent off. I’m all for competing to win, I’ve never been booked in 12 years, my time here, I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win but his behaviour on the touchline wasn’t acceptable.”

In response, Eidevall refuted Hayes’ claim and explained why he protested Cuthbert grabbing a new ball from the dugout to speed up play.

“I think that’s a very irresponsible way of labelling the behaviour that I have, I don’t feel comfortable with that label, I don’t think it’s the truth to do that, so I think it’s very irresponsible to do that,” he said.

“The ball gets kicked away and Chelsea want to take a new ball to throw a quick throw-in and I said, ‘You guys wanted to play with one ball, now we need to get that ball’.

“Of course, Erin doesn’t get happy over that, I didn’t say anything more in that situation. If we decide to play with one ball we play with one ball. I like to play with multi-ball, the game is quick, but they didn’t want to do it and you can’t do it when it suits you.

“I think there is definitely a way you behave in the technical area, there is also a way you behave after the game, being a good winner, but you also need to be a good loser and be responsible in both those situations.

“I’m happy with the way I conduct myself and others need to look in the mirror and see if they’re happy with themselves.”