Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has yet to register a victory in 14 matches against Jose Mourinho, across all competitions. In the 14 times that the two have clashed (in Premier League and EFL Cup), Mourinho has won seven times and there have been seven draws.
The next chapter in their rivalry commences in hours, and it’s the second edition involving Manchester United (the first took part in late November).
The acrimony between the two gentlemen is well documented. Mourinho consistently throws shade at Wenger in his media interviews. He’ll do it passive-aggressively, aggressive-aggressively and with just pure aggression. They even got into a physical altercation once at Stamford Bridge.
Heading into this clash, Wenger said at his weekly press conference that he is open to making peace with Mourinho. When word of this got back to Mourinho and he was pressed on it, The Special One responded by saying that there is no reason to worry about peace, as Mourinho claims he has no problem with Wenger.
We’re not sure we actually believe that. With Wenger’s seat scorching hot, and the Frenchman out of contract at the end of the season, his future with the Gunners remains uncertain.
Mourinho said he would like Wenger to stay on at The Emirates.
“I feel sympathy for all the other managers because we live through the same pain. Everyone,” Mourinho told the media.
“Football has changed. Now it is a game that makes it impossible for managers to stay in their position for a long time.
“Football now means if you don’t get success then you are gone — so yes, I feel bad for other managers. When you are at one club for 20 years it is impossible to have success every single year. Even Sir Alex will tell you that.
“The truth is that I hope Wenger keeps his job at Arsenal. I really do. I hope that the club trusts him to make things better. I think that Arsene is probably the last example of a manager who brings stability to a club over such a long time.
“Sir Alex was the same at United and he was able to leave when he knew it was time to leave. I hope that it is the same with Wenger. Why not?”
Both Mourinho and Wenger have won three league titles each, but the Portugese wondered in November why he’s doesn’t get as much respect as the Arsenal boss.
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.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube