Arsene ends Jose jinx but no sign of peace between rival bosses as Arsenal triumph

Arsenal players celebrate their Community Shield win

ARSENE WENGER yesterday ended his Jose Mourinho jinx - yet the hostilities between the two managers goes on.

 

A stunning first-half goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saw FA Cup holders Arsenal to beat the Premier League champions Chelsea at Wembley in the 93rd Community Shield.

This was the first victory Wenger has inflicted on his bitter rival Mourinho in 14 attempts spread over 11 years.

But the pair did not shake hands at the full-time whistle in front of the TV cameras - with Wenger appearing to snub the Chelsea manager as his team celebrated.

Mourinho said: "I was doing what the status of my club and my status as a manager I think I have to do for myself.

"To be there for the winners, to wait for them in a point that you only miss me if you want to miss me - and every Arsenal player came in my direction which was the easiest thing to do.

 

"I was just there and if other people didn't come in my direction that is not a problem, not a story and not the end of the world."

Wenger refused to be drawn on any snub, saying: "I shook a few hands today after the game, but nothing special there, that's it."

The Frenchman said he had not have particular satisfaction in beating Mourinho for the first time, adding: "There's only an extra satisfaction because we won the game between two very good teams."

Mourinho, who lost Diego Costa on the eve of the match with a hamstring injury, accused Arsenal of abandoning their usually entertaining and attractive attacking philosophy and defending with 10 men once they went ahead.

He said: "The best team lost and the defensive team won. In my opinion, (Arsenal were) the team that defends well and the team that leaves their philosophy in the dressing room and change that attitude and philosophy. And accumulate 10 players behind the ball all the time.

 

"This is very good tactical organisation and in the perspective they scored one goal and deserved to win. Congratulations to them."

Wenger denied that his team tried to sit deep and defend in the second half. He said: "We abandoned nothing. We defend our game on togetherness and solidarity and on defending well and attacking well.

"Yes, we defended, because maybe it was a psychological hurdle that Chelsea had in the head of my players. We were concerned, at 1-0 up, to protect our lead than to play.

"We have to accept that. But I don't that's giving up our philosophy. It's the fact in a game like that. We wanted to win. That's why we behaved like that. I'm proud of that."

Wenger said that his England international midfielder Jack Wilshere, who injured his ankle in training on Saturday, should be back "within days". He also praised his new £10m goalkeeper Petr Cech, formerly of Chelsea, for keeping a clean sheet, saying that: "He did well. Maybe he had an influence on the Chelsea players as well. They felt that to score against him they had to score the perfect goal. Maybe they try too hard, especially when (Eden) Hazard had that chance in the second half."

Mourinho made a point of throwing his losers' medal into the crowd. This prized souvenir was caught by one very happy fan.