Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho
Arsene Wenger says he will shake hands with Jose Mourinho before Arsenal’s game at Manchester United tomorrow — and seemingly challenged his rival to put on a display of entertaining football.
Wenger’s relationship with Mourinho was one of the main talking points at the Arsenal manager’s news conference on Thursday as Saturday’s match at Old Trafford will be their first since the Portuguese took over United in the summer.
However, Wenger was careful not to deliver any verbal barbs after the two feuded frequently during Mourinho’s two stints as Chelsea manager.
“Look, I don’t think I have to describe our relationship. He will fight for his team and I will fight for my team and I think that’s completely normal,” Wenger said.
When asked if he would shake his rival’s hand before the game, the Arsenal boss added: “Of course. I respect the ritual that is so important in the Premier League.”
He did, however, seem to challenge Mourinho to ditch his defensive tactics, which were criticised by pundits after a dull 0-0 draw at Liverpool this season.
Wenger said fans would be more interested in watching an entertaining game than focusing on the two managers.
“What will make the audience is the quality of the game and we have seen a few games since the start of the season that didn’t respond completely to the expectation level between two big teams,” Wenger said.