Mourinho: Boring is 10 years without a title

Jose Mourinho took a swipe at Arsenal and Arsene Wenger after Chelsea were called “boring” as they closed in on the Premier League title.

Mourinho: Boring is 10 years without a title

Jose Mourinho took a swipe at Arsenal and Arsene Wenger after Chelsea were called “boring” as they closed in on the Premier League title.

Gunners supporters jeered as the Blues drew 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium to move within five points of a first Premier League title in five years.

When the “boring” chants were put to Mourinho he went on the counter-attack, pointing to the Gunners’ last title success, in 2003-04, and Wenger’s decision to replace Olivier Giroud, rather than put two up front to chase victory.

“You know, I think boring is 10 years without a title. That’s very boring,” Mourinho said.

“You support the club and you’re waiting, waiting, waiting for so many years without a Premier League title, so that’s very boring.

“But maybe they were not singing to us. Maybe, when you want to win a game and you’re at home and you take your number nine (Olivier Giroud) off, maybe the home fans want more.

“Maybe they want to play Giroud and (Danny) Welbeck together up front to try to win the game.”

Mourinho admitted on Friday the Chelsea have sacrificed their artistic approach for a more methodical one but when told they would never be loved by neutrals while that was the case, the Blues boss scarcely cared.

“I have lots of love,” added Mourinho, who also pointed to the fact Chelsea have the second-best ’goals for’ record in the league.

“No problem. If you (the media) tell the truth, people will fall in love with us.”

The draw felt like a win for Mourinho, whose side could be champions within a week by winning at Leicester on Wednesday and beating Crystal Palace at home next Sunday.

“It’s one point. It leaves five,” added Mourinho, who declined the opportunity to expand on Chelsea being denied two penalties in the first half.

“This point is like almost three points, because you don’t need eight (more points), you need five.

“It’s a positive result... a fair result, if you forget the penalties. And I want to forget the penalties because I think the referee (Michael Oliver) had a very good performance.”

Oscar, who began the match as Chelsea’s most advanced player as Mourinho opted against fielding a recognised striker, could be a doubt for Wednesday’s match.

He was clattered by Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina in the first half and might have had a penalty but continued before leaving for hospital at half-time. Mourinho did not know if Oscar has concussion.

Wenger is still without a victory in 13 attempts against Mourinho’s Chelsea.

The Frenchman felt Arsenal did enough to win the game, but their eight-match winning sequence came to an end.

Wenger said: “In the first half we had the right intensity. We dropped that in the second half and came back into the right level for the last 20 minutes.

“We could have finished the game off. (Mesut) Ozil had a great chance in the final minute of the game.

“But they came to defend well, and they did that well, and everybody knows that.”

Wenger is focused on finishing this term by retaining the FA Cup and finishing in the Premier League’s top four before contemplating a title challenge next term.

He said: “We need to keep the focus until the end of the season. Then we’ll see what we can do next season.”

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