Mark Hughes slams Wenger over handshake refusal

Mark Hughes has called on Arsene Wenger to be ''more gracious'' in defeat after the Arsenal manager watched his side bow out of the Carling Cup to Manchester City - then refused to shake hands with his opposite number.

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The Frenchman walked straight down the tunnel.

Wenger refused to reveal exactly what had upset him, sarcastically replying that ''I have no professional courtesy'' when it was suggested that was how a post-match handshake was viewed.

However, it seemed the Frenchman had been wound up by Hughes wandering into his technical area during the first half, which led to an angry exchange between the pair. And Hughes, celebrating a semi-final appearance against Manchester United next month following a fine 3-0 win over the Gunners, suggested Wenger should have reacted slightly differently in defeat.

''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.''