Mourinho Reignites Wenger Feud Ahead of Chelsea-Arsenal Showdown
By BBC News Staff
As Chelsea prepare to host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this Sunday, José Mourinho has made it clear he has no intention of apologising to long-time rival Arsène Wenger over last season’s infamous war of words.
The Portuguese manager caused a stir last year when he labelled the Arsenal boss a “specialist in failure” during a press conference — a comment that sparked widespread media attention and inflamed the already tense relationship between the two Premier League giants.
Now, with a new season underway and another high-stakes London derby looming, Mourinho was asked whether he regretted the remark. His response was as uncompromising as ever.
“It was the consequence of something,” Mourinho told reporters. “It wasn’t a desire to say something first. I hadn’t received an apology from him, so I didn’t apologise. There’s no need to. You have to move on, forget it and move on without thinking about what happened.”
The timing of the comments is significant, adding fuel to an already eagerly anticipated clash. Chelsea’s encounter with Arsenal is always a highlight of the Premier League calendar, but tensions between the two managers have historically brought added drama to the fixture.
The last time Arsenal visited Stamford Bridge ended in humiliation for the Gunners, with Chelsea cruising to a 6-0 victory. That match not only marked one of Wenger’s heaviest defeats but also coincided with his 1,000th game in charge of Arsenal — a milestone marred by a bruising loss and Mourinho’s tactical mastery.
With both clubs chasing early momentum in the league campaign, Sunday’s match promises to be another fiery contest — on and off the pitch. While the players will battle for points, the dugout dynamic between Mourinho and Wenger remains a captivating subplot, with history suggesting that neither manager is likely to back down.
Kick-off is set for Sunday afternoon at Stamford Bridge. All eyes will be on whether the football — or the feud — takes centre stage.
