Wenger plays down Cesc spat
20 Feb 2007 - 09:15:02
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has played down Cesc Fabregas' touchline spat with Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes.
Fabregas was blasted by a furious Hughes in the aftermath of Saturday's goalless FA Cup fifth round meeting of the sides at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spanish midfielder taunted the Rovers boss and former Barcelona striker with claims that the Catalan club would never play the style of football his resolute side displayed at the weekend.
But Wenger has defended his teenage midfield star by claiming his desire to win got the better of him.
"Cesc is a guy who loves to win, sometimes he gets frustrated and he lets his frustration out," said the Frenchman.
"I read what happened and I had a chat with him and he apologised. He said to me 'Listen, what I did wasn't right.' Also, off the pitch he's very mature and not maintaining that three days later he was right.
"He went to the dressing room and apologised. It would have been better if he'd not talked at all but I don't think it was too bad.
"I admire his willing mentality because without that in our job you go nowhere. You want that winning streak, a controlled one, but I don't think he did too much."
