Nicosia Gooner
10-27-2013, 07:37 PM
Jose Mourinho has hit out at the scheduling of this week's Capital One Cup clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.
After his side claimed three points against Manchester City on Sunday with a dramatic 2-1 win sealed by a late Fernando Torres goal, the Portuguese manager took the opportunity to suggest that Arsenal will have an unfair advantage for Tuesday's all-London affair.
He said: "We are going to give the game that the people put the game on Tuesday want. If they want a big game, we cannot give a big game. If they want the players that were playing today, we cannot give them that.
He added: "If they want Arsenal to win a trophy, that's a help, because if they want a big game between two big teams in London they should put the game on Wednesday and not on Tuesday. I'm not going to give them that.
The Capital One Cup fourth round match between Arsenal and Chelsea has been billed as the tie of the round.
Mourinho dismissed suggestions he could field a youth team for the match but said he will rotate his squad.
“We have to respect our fans, and we discussed that in the club. We have to protect our players. We cannot put our players playing two matches in three days in October."
Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on Saturday in the lunchtime fixture at Selhurst Park while Chelsea defeated Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a match that kicked off at 4pm.
"They played at 1230 yesterday, so two and a half days to rest and prepare. So yes, I hope they all enjoy it. We are going to try and do our job, and we will do our job the best we can."
Mourinho said he would not take up the issue with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but added: "We have no problems, no problems. Unless you tell me that he had an influence on this..."
After his side claimed three points against Manchester City on Sunday with a dramatic 2-1 win sealed by a late Fernando Torres goal, the Portuguese manager took the opportunity to suggest that Arsenal will have an unfair advantage for Tuesday's all-London affair.
He said: "We are going to give the game that the people put the game on Tuesday want. If they want a big game, we cannot give a big game. If they want the players that were playing today, we cannot give them that.
He added: "If they want Arsenal to win a trophy, that's a help, because if they want a big game between two big teams in London they should put the game on Wednesday and not on Tuesday. I'm not going to give them that.
The Capital One Cup fourth round match between Arsenal and Chelsea has been billed as the tie of the round.
Mourinho dismissed suggestions he could field a youth team for the match but said he will rotate his squad.
“We have to respect our fans, and we discussed that in the club. We have to protect our players. We cannot put our players playing two matches in three days in October."
Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on Saturday in the lunchtime fixture at Selhurst Park while Chelsea defeated Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a match that kicked off at 4pm.
"They played at 1230 yesterday, so two and a half days to rest and prepare. So yes, I hope they all enjoy it. We are going to try and do our job, and we will do our job the best we can."
Mourinho said he would not take up the issue with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but added: "We have no problems, no problems. Unless you tell me that he had an influence on this..."