Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been involved in a war of words with Arsene Wenger since he came to Chelsea in 2004 and it has continued into his second spell as well. He branded the Frenchman as a specialist in failure earlier in the campaign, while he has also criticised Arsenal’s policy of retaining him even after eight years without a trophy. The two will be renewing hostilities once again when Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge this weekend in what would also be Wenger’s 1000th game in charge.
Chelsea come into the match after a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa last weekend, which has put their chances of winning the title in major question. Another defeat will certainly rule out Chelsea out of the title race since there are at least three teams involved in it. Mourinho’s men, though, have the opportunity to get back to form and also end Arsenal’s title hopes at the same time. Mourinho was careful to not speak in length about Wenger’s personal milestone, but he could not resist taking another jibe at the Frenchman by saying that Arsenal have shown a lot of patience with him even though he has not won any trophies in the last eight years.
Mourinho will be leading his men into the Champions League quarter-finals as well.
“We don’t want a trophy for finishing second, third or fourth … like some other guys want. We don’t want that! I want my team to feel that there is only one champion and, if you finish second, you are not a champion! I have learned a lot during the years, I have changed. I have changed for the better and I hope you agree. Ten years ago, I couldn’t lose properly. Now, I can lose properly,” said the Chelsea manager ahead of the Arsenal match.