• Premier League

Wenger says Mourinho is running scared

Arsene Wenger has bit back at Jose Mourinho, stating that any manager downplaying his team's title chances has a "fear of failure".

Mourinho has persistently claimed that his team are not in the running for the Premier League - even after going top with a 3-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend.

The Portuguese had earlier said Arsenal have no excuses if they fall short this season, claiming: "Arsenal have spent many, many years working together. Many, many years making these players grow up and achieve this maturity level."

But adding further spark to what has been a simmering situation between the coaches of the Premier League's top three, Wenger switched the pressure onto Mourinho by stating that it is now Chelsea's title to lose.

The Stamford Bridge side are a point ahead of Arsenal, and three ahead of Manchester City - although Manuel Pellegrini's team have a game in hand.

Directly asked why some managers say they are not contenders, Wenger stated: "It is fear to fail.

"It is very open, only Chelsea can lose it because they are in front and all the other teams can win it."

Asked to expand on his comment, Wenger stated that he would take responsibility if Arsenal do not win the league.

"There's nothing more to say," he said. "If you're not in the race you cannot lose it, if you declare yourself not in the race you cannot lose it, simple as that.

"I think just that our job is to be ambitious and to try to win, if we do not win to take full responsibility for that.

"That's as simple as that and that's how I see it. I say yes we are in it, yes we will have a go for it, we will absolutely give everything to go for it and if we don't do I will take responsibility for it but I just see it like that."

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