Football Talk - Hughes slams 'ungracious' Wenger - 03/12/09
Mark Hughes has called on Arsene Wenger to be ''more gracious'' in defeat after the Arsenal manager refused to shake hands with his opposite number after Arsenal's 3-0 Carling Cup defeat to Manchester City.
Wenger refused to reveal exactly what had upset him, replying that ''I have no professional courtesy'' when it was suggested that his behaviour had been unprofessional. However, it seemed the Frenchman had been upset by Hughes wandering into his technical area during the first half, which led to an angry exchange between the pair.
Hughes, celebrating a semi-final appearance against Manchester United next month, suggested Wenger should have accepted defeat more graciously:
''At one point I was over on his side of the technical area and he seemed to be a bit aggrieved by that,'' said Hughes. ''But I think he is probably more aggrieved because he got beaten. I have been to the Emirates Stadium and been beaten 6-2 but I still offered my hand at the end. It is the least you can do. I am a little bit disappointed in that respect.
"You should be a bit more gracious than that because it is unnecessary. We all hurt when we get beaten. No-one is more upset than me. But you should always offer your hand.''
Hughes, meanwhile, is already looking forward to a two-legged Manchester derby against United in the semi-finals in January. "It is a fantastic draw," said Hughes, a League Cup winner with United during his playing career.
"I'm sure the whole of Manchester will be looking forward to it and the wider worldwide footballing public as well. We'd have fancied our chances against anyone in the draw, so bring them on."
