Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in rather upbeat mood prior to the FA Cup tie with Manchester City but rather than focussing on the game, the Portuguese manager sparked what could be yet another ‘˜war of words’ with manager Arsene Wenger when he described the Frenchman as a ‘˜specialist in failure’.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in rather upbeat mood prior to the FA Cup tie with Manchester City but rather than focussing on the game, the Portuguese manager sparked what could be yet another ‘war of words’ with manager Arsene Wenger when he described the Frenchman as a ‘specialist in failure’. The English press was rather calm than more personal about Mourinho’s comments (taking in mind their liking for Mourinho).
But on Sunday afternoon, Wenger was focussed on his team and their opponents Liverpool, a side that thrashed them 5-1 a week back. Liverpool team managed by Brendan Rodgers started strengthened squad with the likes of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in the forward ranks. As compared to Liverpool, many Arsenal fans might have been worried when the first team was announced and some of them might have been thinking of yet another spanking!
Even though Liverpool started off brightly, the home team took the lead through a neat finish by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. In the second half, normal business resumed as Oxlade-Chamberlain found German Lukas Podolski in the box who rounded up keeper Brad Jones with a right-foot finish. A late penalty by Steven Gerrard was not enough as the ‘Gunners’ entered the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Much has been said of this Arsenal team this season, when they lost 6-3 to Manchester City and thrashed 5-1 to Liverpool. Football panellists and critics were of the opinion that this team could not go far and it spilled to more fire when Mourinho ranted the ‘failure’ words. Even though of those ‘kind gesture’ by the Chelsea manager, Arsene’s men are in for trophies in the 3 competitions (FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League).
Without a doubt, the Arsenal squad need to play better and trounce top opposition in order to seize the momentum. With German giants, Bayern Munich arriving on Wednesday, the men from North London has a sizeable job on their hands. Not to forget – Arsene Wenger. The man who has laid down rules and principles, team that which plays best football in England (Ask Andres Iniesta) and by far has the best defensive record in the BPL.
Ask any Gooner fan, Arsenal at the Emirates, this year, have been a different proposition. Barring that Aston Villa game at the beginning of the season, Wenger and his men are yet to lose. So when, Bayern come visiting this week, expect a ‘distinct’ Arsenal team on the field.
And so what Monsieur Wenger has to retort back to Mourinho? “I do not want to go into those silly, disrespectful remarks,” said Wenger, “I never spoke about him in my press conference and I will not start now. The only thing I know is it is more embarrassing for Chelsea than for me.” Touche!
