Megson condemns Wenger

Hughes and Wenger: Frosty night

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Bolton boss Gary Megson believes Arsene Wenger was wrong to snub a handshake with Mark Hughes on Wednesday.

The Arsenal manager headed straight down the Eastlands tunnel in midweek after seeing his side crash to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

The Frenchman is believed to have been left aggrieved after City chief Hughes stepped into his technical area during the game.

However, Megson believes petty differences should be put to one side once the final whistle sounds and feels Wenger has set a bad example to the millions tuning in around the world.

"We're all trying for the same thing which is to win games for our respective football clubs," he said.

"I don't care who you are, you will try and get as many advantages as you possibly can.

"But in my view, you can do whatever you want, say whatever you like during the game but after the game, you should shake hands - even if you don't particularly mean it.

Poor choice

"You should shake hands because people are watching and will draw their own conclusions if you don't.

"I don't think that is particularly good on Arsene's part, and I think he has done it before."

Megson said Wenger may not have considered the wider implications of his actions.

He added: "What we have to do as managers is realise that although it might not be a great big thing that someone doesn't shake hands with another, the impact is huge, so everybody should do it.

"There are times where you might feel hurt about whatever has gone on or been said, but I do feel that at the end of it, you just shake hands and then go down the tunnel.

"You might not mean it but I think it's a lot easier to deal with afterwards, even if you don't get on too well with the person you have just shaken hands with, as opposed to not doing it at all."