Jose Mourinho and Arsenal have always had a strained relationship. The Portuguese manager has had a lot to say about the Gunners as well as Arsene Wenger in the past, and it has never really gone down well.
Now the boss of Arsenal’s fierce North London rivals Tottenham, Mourinho has had a pop at the Gunners again but this time, it’s a reaction rather than a provocation.
Arsenal picked up an impressive victory against Sheffield United in the FA Cup last week. The Blades have been the surprise package this season and the Gunners’ win at a difficult place earned them a ton of plaudits.
Sheffield United hosted Tottenham in their very next game and Jose Mourinho’s side were battered 3-1. Arsenal’s saw an opportunity to mock their neighbours and they did just that on their Facebook page.
The Gunners posted a highlights video from their win against the Blades with the caption: “It’s not easy beating Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Here’s a reminder of how it’s done.”
That, predictably, angered a ton of Tottenham fans and Mourinho too wasn’t best pleased with Arsenal’s social media activity.
The Spurs boss told BBC: “You only enjoy the problems of others when you are also in trouble. I think if they were top of the league or fighting for top four in a really good moment they wouldn’t enjoy the problems of others.”
“They don’t have much to celebrate, they have to get every opportunity to do it. They are in a very similar situation to us in the table. To be the champion of north London means nothing for me because I think you have to be much bigger than that and have much more ambitions than that.”
Mind games before the derby?
Mourinho’s comments come at a perfect time as the North London derby is just around the corner. The two rivals will go head to head next week and all the talk on social media and in press conferences will mean nothing then.
The war of words might just be mind games ahead of the game next weekend where a lot will be at stake for both sides.
Arsenal are currently four points and three places above Spurs. Tottenham have a game in hand against Everton on Monday and a win there will set things up nicely ahead of next week’s derby.
Mourinho got the upper hand against Wenger’s Arsenal on many occasions but can he do the same against Mikel Arteta? Only time will tell.
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