Here Press Association Sport looks at some of the highlights from his pre-match media conference.
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Tiredness is no excuse… for Arsenal… However, the Portuguese tactician says the mood in the camp has lifted following their win on Wednesday night.
Arsenal though after a really solid run of wins came out and lost to Dinamo Zagreb midweek.
“I think it is sad and bad and I am not happy about it”, said Mourinho.
In an interesting match-up, the Bosnian goes head-to-head with the man who he replaced at Chelsea, as Petr Cech starts for Arsenal.
Asked if he would shake Mourinho’s hand and if he regretted their touchline bust-up, Wenger replied: “I don’t want to talk about that”. In contrast, the Bosnian has not kept a clean sheet this season, conceding a goal every 31 minutes on average.
“I don’t think about the consequences”. The Blues will, however, be without summer signings Pedro Rodriguez and Willian, who have both picked up injuries over the course of the week. “Mourinho doesn’t want to give a new contract to John and to (Branislav) Ivanovic'”.
“That I know every corner of the stadium and the space so, for me, there will be no surprises”.
Mourinho, however, does not consider beating their biggest rivals as vital to Chelsea’s chances of defending their title, though he accepts three points would be welcome.
Kurt Zouma and Cahill will form the centre-back pairing while Azpilicueta will man the left wing.
“He’s the best player playing in this country”. He’s the best. He’ll be the best again.
And the Ghanaian excelled in front of his national team coach as Chelsea coasted to a 4-0 victory.
After he win against Tel-Aviv, Mourinho insists that he is still a fantastic. Last season’s player of the year continues to misfire and his decision to blast the penalty kick rather than place the ball either side of the goalkeeper, as is his way, reflects this. So what’s the problem? He’s a player of my total confidence.
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“I can imagine after a defeat how hard it would be for everyone, especially two days before a game against Arsenal”.
