Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he remains unfazed by his inability to register a single victory over Jose Mourinho in 13 attempts.
Wenger accepted there would be few pleasantries when Arsenal face Chelsea in tomorrow’s Community Shield at Wembley.
The Gunners’ French manager is prepared for the “tribunal” of public scrutiny he believes follows every big clash in English football, vowing not to alter his Premier League plans, win or lose.
Chelsea boss Mourinho has accused Arsenal of trying to buy their way to the Premier League title, claiming totting up the Gunners’ spending over the last two years leads to a “surprise”.
Wenger attempted to downplay the pair’s simmering feud, but conceded the contest is bound to carry a level of spice.
.@19SCazorla and @theowalcott are here to stay! pic.twitter.com/tYZjF3uq3m
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 31, 2015
“You know, it will not be a friendly, because it is just like that – and it is good like that,” said Wenger.
“That’s part of our game now – you have to accept that every game is judged as though it’s definite.
“But you know in real life it is not like that. The tribunal is out there and we’ll draw conclusions from Sunday, but no matter if it’s positive or negative we have to continue on our way and focus on ourselves.”
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Asked if his winless personal record against Mourinho was any concern, he replied: “No, not at all.”
Wenger then moved quickly to shoot down the line of inq-uiry, laughing off suggestions his relationship with Mourinho is far colder than his previous rivalry with ex-Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I’ll leave your love story with him to continue without interfering,” joked Wenger, light-heartedly suggesting the media favour Mourinho. “I wouldn’t like to interfere in that.”
New recruit Petr Cech is expected to start in goal in a quick-fire showdown with former club Chelsea and Wenger backed the 33-year-old for a lengthy stint at the Emirates.
“He has an intimidating presence, that is for sure,” said Wenger.
“In goal, he makes the goal look smaller, and that’s the kind of charisma he has.
“He has a good combination between quality, agility and size, and he has always looked built for English football. And he’s a very bright boy as well.”
Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla will also line up for the Gunners having penned contract extensions with the club.
English forward Walcott has completed a new four-year deal that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium past his 30th birthday, with Spanish midfielder Cazorla also finalising fresh terms with the Gunners.
Wenger added: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top-quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
“As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch.
“We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
