Source: Daily_Mail
Furious Wenger snubs Hughes after his men are dumped out of Carling Cup
Mark Hughes accused Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger of being graceless in defeat after Manchester City booked a Carling Cup semi-final derby date against Manchester United.[LNB]The Frenchman walked down the tunnel at Eastlands without shaking Hughes's hand following a 3-0 defeat.[LNB]A row in the technical area during the first half at Eastlands hadclearly upset Arsenal's boss and the running feud between the pairerupted as Wenger walked to the dressing room early.[LNB] Flashpoint: Arsene Wenger and Mark Hughes clashed angrily during Manchester City's quarter-final against Arsenal[LNB]Hughes said: 'It's his choice whether or not to shake my hand. I questioned why he was over my side of the technical area. He seemed aggrieved by that. I'd suggest that he was more aggrieved by the fact that his team were beaten.[LNB]SEMI-FINAL DRAWMan City v Man UnitedBlackburn v Aston VillaFirst legs to be played January 5/6Second legs to be played January 19/20 [LNB]'I've been to the Emirates and been beaten 6-2 when I was in charge of Blackburn. But I still offered my hand. I think it's the least you can do. There is a certain protocol and on this occasion maybe Arsene hasn't really observed that[LNB]'I was a little bit disappointed as I have a huge respect for him. Maybe he needs to be a little more gracious.[LNB] Enlarge Clash: Wenger and Hughes exchange words at Eastlands[LNB]'I think it's unnecessary. We all hurt when we get beat. There's no one more upset than me when we get beaten but there you go.'[LNB]Wengerrefused to reveal the cause of his complaint but it appears he wasupset by some choice language used by Hughes when he stepped into thehome technical area.[LNB]He said: 'It had nothing to do with thegame. I'm free to shake hands with whoever I want at the final whistle.Is it not a professional courtesy? Yes, it is. OK, then I have noprofessional courtesy.'[LNB] Where's Arsene gone? Mark Hughes looks in vain for the Arsenal boss who later insisted he is free to shake hands with whoever he chooses[LNB]Hughes was delighted at the prospect of facing Manchester United in the last four, despite the defeat at Old Trafford earlier this season.[LNB] 'He needs to be more gracious'Hughes on Wenger[LNB]'I'm free to shake hands with whoever I want' Wenger hits back [LNB]'It's a fantastic draw,' he said. 'Everyone in Manchester will be excited by it - and the wider world as well. [LNB]'We are going to enjoy it. Over two games we back ourselves against anyone. We have big games coming up but we'll try to reach a Wembley final.'[LNB]Wenger believed a sell-out Eastlands crowd played its part as his inexperienced Arsenal side felt the full force of City's first-team.[LNB]He said: 'We played well through large parts of the game but we were lacking the weight and power to take advantage of certain situations. It was a good experience and a difficult game.[LNB]Three and easy: Vladimir Weiss scores City's third goal[LNB]'We play in the Champions League and they don't. We cannot sign players and then never give them a game. It's a price we have to pay. If we had played at home, then I think we would have won. The home crowd had a big impact on the motivation of City's players.'[LNB] VIDEO SPECIAL: Arsene Wenger's pitch battles with Jol, Mourinho, Ferguson, Pardew, O'Neill and Big SamCARLING CUP LIVE: All Wednesday's quarter-final drama as it happenedCarling Cup semi-final draw: Manchester City v Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa Manchester City 3 Arsenal 0: Carlos Tevez on target as City reach last fourMANCHESTER CITY FC
