Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour says Jose Mourinho went too far with his comments about Arsene Wenger but insists the Frenchman can handle their escalating war of words.
Mourinho branded Gunners boss Wenger ‘a specialist in failure’ on Friday ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round ties.
As it was, Arsenal came through 2-1 against Liverpool and Chelsea crashed 2-0 at Manchester City.
Parlour is sure the Portuguese’s words would have stung Wenger but believes reacting angrily would only have played into Mourinho’s hands.
‘There is no code of conduct for managers but I was involved in what used to go on between Arsene and [former Manchester United boss] Sir Alex Ferguson, and this was as bad as that. I thought Jose went over the top,’ said the 40-year-old, who made 470 appearances for the club.
‘Arsene has had his little say back and he’ll concentrate on the football. He won’t let it affect him. I think Jose is great for the Premier League and he can say what he likes, can’t he?
‘Arsene says he embarrassed Chelsea and will want to get on with the football and prove Jose wrong. Jose’s his own man and he takes the pressure off his players.’
Parlour, meanwhile, sees hope for the Gunners in their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich, the first leg of which takes place at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.
‘You have to look at their two centre-halves – Arsenal can get at them,’ he added. ‘Winning in Munich last season has given them confidence.’
