Jose Mourinho has branded Arsenal cry babies following an ill-tempered goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.
Daily Mail reports that Arsene Wenger was upset that his side were denied a penalty after Willian appeared to trip Theo Walcott in the box, while Mikel Obi escaped a red card for catching Mikel Arteta’s ankle in a bruising clash.
Mourinho, who maintained his unbeaten record against the Gunners, blasted Arsenal.
“You know, they like to cry,” said the Chelsea boss. “That’s tradition. But I prefer to say, and I was telling it to the fourth official, that English people – Frank Lampard, for example – would never provoke a situation like that. Players from other countries, especially some countries, have that in their blood.
“If you have contact or the opponent was aggressive, let’s go, keep going, this is English football. Foreign players are bringing lots of good things. They come here because they are talented, but I prefer English blood in football.
“English blood in this situation is: ‘Come on, let’s go.’ The (Mikel) tackle is a hard and aggressive one. Football is for men or for women with fantastic attitude.
“It’s true, there are other sports without contact; fantastic sports which demand a lot from the players, and I respect those sports full of champions. But no contact. Football is a game of contact. English football, winter, water on the pitch, sliding tackles at fantastic speed. Be proud. Play with pride. If you’re hurt, OK, you’re hurt.”
But Wenger, when asked about referee Mike Dean’s display said, “Of course, I can understand that Mourinho thought he (the referee) had a good game. I don’t think he had a great game at all. I think it (Willian on Walcott) was a penalty. Honestly. If I’m wrong, I apologise.
“I have to watch the (Mikel) challenge again. On the pitch it looked bad, but the referee was in a good position. It’s Christmas so let’s give everyone his own opinion. I’ll have mine.”
On the Mikel tackle, Arteta told Sky Sports, “On that moment I think that he (Mikel) caught me high – I’ve got a big swollen ankle. I think that he got late on the ball. You ask me if it is intentional or not – I believe that is why the referee didn’t give him a red card.”
Arteta did admit that both players were committed to the challenge, but thinks that the way in which Mikel flew in was more dangerous than his attempt to win the ball.
“I was not facing him and he points his studs towards me. I think it is a different challenge. We were both going for the ball and that is what I am saying, I think probably the referee thought it was not intentional. I cannot judge what Obi was trying to do, I think he challenged the ball but sometimes you are late and if you are late with your studs up you know what happens.”
