Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remains winless against Jose Mourinho in 14 tries. This despite United having to play without several key players and a makeshift back line of second team defenders when the two teams met earlier this season. Mourinho called his side the “unluckiest in the Premier League” after the 1-1 draw with the Gunners that the Portugese said “felt like a loss.”
That was the Old Trafford meeting in November. Sunday brings the Emirates edition, and another chance for Mourinho and Wenger to renew their individual rivalry.
It’s been a heated one, with Mourinho incessantly throwing shade at Wenger, and the two men even getting into a physical altercation during one contest at Stamford Bridge.
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Wenger said today however that he is open to idea of someday somehow making piece.
“Look, I’m always open in life for everything, for peace,” Wenger his weekly press conference today. “I try to respect everybody, and I don’t want to make a case of any person. I think it’s important I focus on my team.”
Mourinho overtly said yesterday at a news conference that he will prioritize the Europa League over Premier League competition, and thus could rest some, if not many, of his starters during the run-in. Mourinho was not shy about expressing this idea and he even said that he could implement this policy come Sunday against the Gunners.
It could be a prime opportunity for Arsene Wenger to pick up his first win against Mourinho in Premier League competition. Asked about the prospect of facing a weakened Red Devils side, Wenger gave press conference platitudes:
“I don’t know what Manchester United will do. We know anyway that they have a massive squad with quality players. Only a top-level performance will get us the win we want,” he responded.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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