Wenger and Mourinho: contrasting experiences in the Premier League

In-form Arsenal FC manager, Arsene Wenger refused to be dragged into  Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho’s troubles today, opting instead to focus on Arsenal’s future games.

Both managers have had a diametrically opposite experience in the English Premier League this season, with Arsenal now joint leaders on the table with Manchester City after 11 games and the man, who once described him a ‘specialist in failure’, has his club on the 15th position, with 11 points. Wenger’s Arsenal have 25 points.

Matters even became compounded for Wenger’s taunter today,  as Chelsea fell at home 1-3 to Liverpool, while Arsenal beat Swansea 3-0 on the road, with striker Olivier Giroud making the opening goal the 2000th goal by Arsenal in all competitions under Wenger.

But asked today to comment on Chelsea’s form, Wenger’s  response was diplomatic.

“I think it is better I don’t talk too much about that. Let’s focus on our game. We have made a little difference with some teams. Let’s focus on the quality of our game and keep a good balance between hunger, humility and confidence and not look too much at the other teams.”

2000th Goal for Wenger

Wenger also spoke on other matters, leaving Chelsea out of the way:

on the performance…

It is always a difficult game, we were a bit edgy [in the first half] but in fairness Swansea showed quality again today. They are maybe going through a spell where they have less confidence but they are a good side. In the first half, it was difficult but in the second half we upped our purpose, our tempo and had more purpose in our passing, with pace in our combinations. Once we scored the first goal we were the dominant team and won the game normally.

on coming through a testing period…
We had a difficult first half but we came through it. I rested eight players on Wednesday and gave them a little breather this week, and it took us a little while to get into the tempo of the game. I am pleased because we could keep a clean sheet during the difficult moments of the game and you are never in a hurry to take too many risks going forward. Once we scored the first goal it was a completely different game.

on scoring more than 2,000 goals in his reign…
Yes, the three points are more important. I am proud of scoring goals because people like to come to see football to see people try to play, but the most important of course was the three points.

on Koscielny’s goal…

I didn’t see a foul, honestly. Maybe I missed something and I have to watch it again. There are always a diverse set of opinions from managers on that. It didn’t look obvious to me from outside.

on Monk saying Swansea gifted the win to Arsenal…
Honestly on every goal you concede you have five mistakes on average. I didn’t look too much at them honestly when we scored the goals, I would have to see them again.