Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Man. Utd: Underestimate Jose Mourinho At Your Peril

By Andrew Dowdeswell

(FILE PHOTO - EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image Numbers 177996036 (L) and 452339145) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho (L) and Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger. The Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea takes place on December 23, 2013 at the Emirates Stadium, London, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on August 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Manager Arsene Wenger of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal and Olympique de Marseille at Emirates Stadium on November 26, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
(FILE PHOTO - EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image Numbers 177996036 (L) and 452339145) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho (L) and Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger. The Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea takes place on December 23, 2013 at the Emirates Stadium, London, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on August 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Manager Arsene Wenger of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal and Olympique de Marseille at Emirates Stadium on November 26, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal travel to Manchester United on Saturday as the Premier League returns. Fans should be wary not to underestimate the wounded Jose Mourinho.

The international break is nearly over. The first spate of games is over and with the second on the near horizon, the focus of the footballing world can soon return club football. For Arsenal, that sees them look an old familiar foe, both in terms of club and manager.

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During the early years of Arsene Wenger’s 20-year tenure in North London, the battle for the Premier League would rarely leave the grasp of the Frenchman’s side and the Sir Alex Ferguson led Manchester United. The two clubs have dominated the landscape of English football for many years, and while the evolution of the financial superpowers of Manchester City and Chelsea have threatened such dominance, there is a long-lasting rivalry between the sides.

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While Ferguson has now retired and the stakes are now usually for fourth, not first, place, the rivalry could be set for an injection of intensity with another old familiar foe back in town. Jose Mourinho is now in charge at Old Trafford. Armed with his own egotistical style, his apparently unique and incisive tactical mind and a rather hefty war chest that he has used heavily in the transfer window, instant success has not yet found its way to the door of the Portuguese.

However, while the form may be lacking for the Red Devils, the talent of the squad, at least on paper, even if that hasn’t quite transpired to performances on the pitch and the history between Mourinho and Wenger suggests that this is no easy game for the Gunners.

The stats between Wenger and Mourinho, at a variety of clubs, is rather stunning. Only including competitive fixtures in the normal season – therefore excluding Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the 2015 Community Shield, Wenger has faced Mourinho 13 times. Mourinho has won 7, drawn 6 and lost exactly 0. Wow!

Much has repeatedly been made of the record between Wenger and Mourinho in the past, but the focus on Wenger’s struggles is a justified one. The defensive nous of Mourinho, his ability to frustrate an opposing side is something that has seen unbeaten against the man that he called a specialist in failure.

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This is sure to be a heated battle against two rival clubs and two antagonised managers. It would, however, be remiss to underestimate the effect of one Jose Mourinho, whatever his team’s form may suggest.

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