He questioned the presence of Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein on the FA board and highlighted the Gunners’ more accommodating fixture schedule after next term’s Champions League matches.

And while Mourinho – who courted controversy throughout last season – stands by his claims, he understands that in future he must choose his words carefully in order to avoid damaging the club’s reputation.

“I’m under no pressure to be gagged. I talk facts,” he said.

“Facts aren’t controversy. Opinion can make controversy and yes I’ll have to cool down and think twice before I say something. But facts are facts and no punishment can come from that.

“I have to think about football, not just my football but English football because this is where I work. Facts are facts. The only thing I’m prepared to say is Chelsea play away for five matches after the Champions League while Arsenal are at home.”

Mourinho cannot see how Chelsea’s frequent battles with the football authorities and his own ultra-confident manner might result in the club’s popularity plummeting.

“I don’t see it as the world against Chelsea. I don’t believe we were unpopular last season. We now have more than double the fans we had. I’m very happy with what we’ve done,” he said.

Chelsea have been strengthened by the return of Hernan Crespo from his season-long loan spell at AC Milan but it remains to be seen whether the Argentina striker will still be at Stamford Bridge come August 31, transfer deadline day.

Crespo has left his wife and baby of 10 months in Italy where he was hoping to complete a permanent switch before negotiations with Milan stalled, when the Serie A giants made it clear they were only interested in another loan arrangement.

It is feared the 30-year-old, who failed to settle during his first year in London after completing a £16.8m (€24.5m) switch from Inter Milan in August 2003, could return to Italy once again.

But Mourinho is confident he will persuade Crespo to stay and believes the 51-cap international will be ready to fire on all cylinders with the World Cup finals waiting next summer.

“We couldn’t stop Crespo going last season. He trained with us for 15 days, showing quality and organisation, but what he had in Italy was too strong,” said Mourinho.

“His motivation is very high now. It’s a personal thing – his wife and his family are in Italy. I don’t have to be involved in that but his relationship with the players is very good. He has been open.

“He’s convinced himself he’s here for the right reasons. He’s been a success everywhere he’s played. The only place where people still have a question mark over him is in England. He’s a proud player who wants to score goals.

“Chelsea will get more out of Crespo this time because he’s my player. It’s also a special season because the World Cup is on. Sometimes managers have to be careful because players think more about the national team than their club.

“They want to get picked for the World Cup and concentrate on that. But their motivation to perform is also very, very high.

“The national side means so much to Argentina. They are a very proud nation so that’s a plus to motivate Crespo.”

Mourinho admits he would love to steer Chelsea to a Champions League and Barclays Premiership double but admits that challenge is “almost impossible”.

“We want to win everything but you can’t normally do it, it is very difficult and almost impossible. Last season Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus won their leagues but not the Champions League,” he said.

“Liverpool finished fifth in the Premiership but won the Champions League. Nobody is winning their domestic competition and the Champions League in modern football. But you have to try to win every competition. Maybe we can win two.”