Arsene Wenger believes that Chelsea striker Diego Costa is more risky than ever, because he has cleaned up his act.
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Saturday’s London derby against Chelsea is the latest fixture to come too soon for the 25-year-old, while Arsene Wenger does not expect him to be available for Wales’ forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Georgia.
Arsenal manager Wenger and then-Chelsea boss Mourinho’s mutual loathing came to the surface over Mata’s move from the Blues to Man-chester United in January 2014.
In the new book Jose Mourinho: Up Close and Personal, journalist Rob Beasley has revealed some of the details of Mourinho’s long-running rivalry with Wenger. But if I’m a director and I don’t see that basis of work, you can win a game but not be sure it will go on.
“Aaron Ramsey is still struggling with his hamstring and I don’t think that he will be available for our next game against Basel or at Burnley, so before the break he will not be available”, said Wenger.
“I prefer just to not comment”. I talk about football and that’s all I do. “I’m not in a destructive mode”.
“I comment on football, that’s all I do”, said Wenger. I am just focusing on doing my job well and respecting everybody else. “I think it’s normal when you are in a team like Chelsea to have this problem, but I don’t see any problem in this situation”. The rest is down to the referees to get the game and the rules respected.
Games between the London rivals had an extra edge with Wenger and Mourinho in opposite dugouts, but the Gunners boss insists any meeting with Chelsea has always been about the teams rather than the managers.
“This is a special game for Cesc, but the most important thing is that he’s Chelsea’s player and he’s playing very well”.
“It’s a game between two big rivals”, he added.
“He’s a very strong player”, Wenger said. You realise that today as well.
“They are flat-track bullies but don’t really turn it on against the big teams and could be eight points off the top if they lose and City win”.
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“Now, it looks like it’s a new era where it’s a bit more balanced again and we feel we are progressing at the moment so we have a good opportunity to grab and to change what I call “the inconvenient facts” of the recent years”.
