London - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas moved on Wednesday to deny claims he had spat at the Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton after Tuesday's FA Cup quarter-final between the teams.

Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1, but the game was overshadowed by the claim from Hull manager Phil Brown that Fabregas had spat at the feet of Horton.

"I categorically deny that I spat at anybody after the match," Fabregas said in a statement on Arsenal's website.

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

"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."

Arsenal's winner, scored by William Gallas with seven minutes remaining, was clearly offside.

Horton indicated on Tuesday that he would take the matter to the Football Association.

Brown was also unhappy at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's complaints that his side were timewasting.

The two did not shake hands at the final whistle. (dpa)