Chelsea Manager Mourinho claimed Arsene Wenger is a ‘specialist in failure’ on Friday and Wenger was reticent and tried to deflect the topic when he addressed the media after his team went on for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals. He counter backed Mourinho’s remarks saying that he was more disjointed for Chelsea than his remarks.
When asked by the reports, Wenger stated: “I am embarrassed for him, honestly.”
“First of all I would say that I didn’t speak about him at all in my press conference, and I have no more to say… I am more disappointed for Chelsea than for me. I am not interested in the subject at all, and that is really genuine. If you are interested, and you have nothing better to do in your life, you are free to do it.”
“But honestly, I cannot force my interest in things that are not interesting for me. I love football and I’m sorry to disappoint you, but what interests me is what happens on the pitch.”
After Arsenal’s brilliant performance over Liverpool last weekend, Wenger believes that it was important to show case a good performance. “It was vital for us to respond to the disappointing performance we had against Liverpool last week. It was vital as well because we had an opportunity to go to the quarter-final of the FA Cup. I am very pleased with the intensity of our commitment and our response, our determination.”
“You could feel there was a clinical desire in my team to take every opportunity to ‘kill’ them. That’s why it was a great game between two good teams, and overall it was a fantastic FA Cup tie. Many people questioned the FA Cup but like today it delivers a great football performance.”
Arsenal got an early lead with a brilliant finish by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain followed by Lukas Podolski shot which results in a 2-0 on the score card. Liverpool’s key player Steven Gerrard took a very good advantage over the penalty shot but a second penalty appeal was turned down, while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski made some outstanding saves.
Wenger said: “Look, Liverpool is a very strong team. They had some chances but you should not forget that we as well had some very good chances on top of that. They were in a position where they had to take the initiative because they were 2-0 down, they had to throw absolutely everything forward. They are good enough to create chances against any team, but we were resilient, focused on defending well.”
“Overall it looked yes that they could score, but it looked always that when we won the ball we had a chance to go to the goal and score as well.” Wenger was very disappointed on the failed penalty appeal of Luis Suarez’s failed penalty appeal and pointed to the Uruguayan’s theatrical fall. He said: “Maybe. I have to watch it again. You know that I rate Suarez as a player but I think if we had him in the team we would have a few more free-kicks! There was contact, I don’t deny that, but he is good to make more of it.”
Wenger was impressed by Yaya Sanogo performance whom he had signed from Auxerre last summer.
“For a first performance he was excellent. He was always in the game, he was a handle for them,” said the Arsenal boss. “It’s his first official game basically, he played one game in the reserves for 60 minutes. Considering the intensity of the game, he was absolutely excellent.”
Via:Skysports.com