Wenger doesn't want 'special relationship' with Mourinho ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea tie

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger does not want a 'special relationship' with Jose Mourinho

ARSENE WENGER will snub Jose Mourinho before Chelsea meet Arsenal today because he does not want a "special relationship" - but the Blues boss says he will bury the hatchet and "do the right thing".

 

The Chelsea manager is adamant that he was not responsible for the spectacular snub when the pair avoided shaking hands after Arsenal's win over Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley in August.

Wenger avoided Mourinho after the Chelsea player shook every Arsenal players hand after losing 1-0 at Wembley and the pair clashed in the technical area the last time they met at Stamford Bridge.

 

Chelsea sources confirmed that Mourinho will either wait for Wenger outside the dressing rooms before the 12.45 kick-off at Stamford Bridge, or by the side of the pitch. "I am responsible for my actions and others responsible for their actions," said Mourinho.

But Wenger said: "A special relationship is not my worry, all I worry about is how we perform.

"I respect everybody in the job and focus on what I love and that's football. All the rest honestly does not concern me much."

 

Until the Wembley win, Wenger had not beaten Mourinho in 13 previous encounters. But Wenger believes that victory could be significant, with Chelsea now having one only once in their opening five league games.

"It is the first important step," he said. "We want to show now a second one, go away and do well against them away from home.

"What is important is that Arsenal win the games. It can sometimes be a mental block for the players or the team when they do not win against certain teams. On that front it was good.

 

"For us this is a big game. Let's not forget it's the start of the season and only five games have been played. We know our position at the end of the season will depend on how well we do in the big games.

"I do not think too much about where Chelsea stand in the league at the moment. I focus more on us performing well with full power."

Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro is not expected to be reinstated to the bench today and the FA are not set to take complaints about sexist abuse from Mourinho any further.