Mourinho plays down Chelsea’s defeat

Jose Mourinho played down the significance of Chelsea’s defeat against Arsenal in the Community Shield.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal gave the north London side victory at Wembley and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger his first win over Chelsea boss Mourinho – at the 14th time of asking.

However, Mourinho refused to see the outcome as significant in terms of this season’s Premier League title race.

“I never had a psychological edge over Arsenal,” he said.

“I always thought that one game is one game and has no relation to other games. Thirteen matches is an eternity. It’s too much. For me it was never a question of ‘I beat that one [manager] and not that one.’

“I can’t comment on Arsenal [as title contenders]. Don’t wait for me to be speaking about Arsenal.”

Mourinho, who gave away his runners-up medal to a young Arsenal fan after the match, also played down the absence of a post-match handshake with Wenger.

“You see the images. You see where I am,” said the Portuguese.

“You only miss me if you want to miss me. Every Arsenal player came in my direction, which was the easiest thing to do, and if other people didn’t that’s not a problem. That’s not a story. That’s not the end of the world.”

Mourinho said his team had been the better side at Wembley “without the sharpness you need” to break through Arsenal’s defence.

“I say that the best team lost. The defensive team won,” he added.

“They played the whole second half with nine men in front of the box, but this is football. This is very good tactical organisation.”

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook