Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas categorically denied he spat at Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton after the Gunners stormy 2-1 FA Cup win over the Tigers on Tuesday. Late goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas put Arsenal through to a Wembl

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas categorically denied he spat at Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton after the Gunners' stormy 2-1 FA Cup win over the Tigers on Tuesday.

Late goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas put Arsenal through to a Wembley semi-final against London rivals Chelsea on April 18, after former Spurs midfielder Nicky Barmby's deflected effort had given Hull a first half lead.

Hull's players were left fuming after referee Mike Riley failed to notice Gallas was in an offside position when he headed Arsenal's 84th minute winner - and bad feeling apparently spilled into the tunnel.

Fabregas, who is not due to return to first team action until next month as he recovers from a knee injury, joined his team-mates on the pitch at the final whistle, before the alleged incident.

"You're not going to get the rub of the green when you come to the Emirates," ranted Hull manager Phil Brown.

"But for their club captain, Cesc Fabregas, to spit at my assistant manager at the end of the game just shows you what this club (Arsenal) is about.

"I was there and I witnessed it, he spat at my assistant manager down the tunnel. That is their club captain, hopefully he is proud of himself. He spat at his feet."

The Spaniard took the unusual step of releasing a statement on Arsenal.com immediately after the game, strongly denying Brown's accusation.

"I have never done this in my whole career on the pitch, so why would I do it when I am not even playing?" it read.

"I can understand the frustration of losing a game to a dubious goal, that has happened to me many times in my career as well. But this is not the fault of me or any of the Arsenal players."

Wenger said it was "disappointing" Brown had gone public with his accusation.

"I did not see anything," Wenger said. "I'm here to speak about football. I'm not a specialist to create newspaper stories, or to create things that are minor that might have happened in the tunnel.

"I'm sorry, I can't speak about something I haven't seen."

Wenger, who did not shake Brown's hand at the end of the game, then claimed Gallas' goal was legitimate.

"It is not offside because the ball was deflected by the fist of the goalkeeper," he added.

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