Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: We had them under control – Jose Mourinho
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0: Jose Mourinho claims that his Blues side always had the Gunners "under control" on Monday
Jose Mourinho declared that Chelsea had Arsenal “under control” after watching his side play out a goalless draw at Emirates Stadium.
The Blues enjoyed the best chance of the first half when Frank Lampard saw his shot rebound down off the bar, while Arsenal had a penalty appeal turned down when Theo Walcott appeared to be tripped by Willian in the box.
We had the game under control, if we score a goal we win for sure
Jose Mourinho
The Gunners went close late on but Olivier Giroud was unable to turn home Aaron Ramsey’s cross as a cagey and uninspiring affair ended all square.
“It was a tactical match,” said Mourinho. “A match that Arsenal want to win but didn’t want to lose and Chelsea wants to win but doesn’t want to lose.
“We had the biggest chance of the game, I’m glad we have goal-line technology so nobody could complain when Frank Lampard hit the crossbar.
“The goalkeeper was not in the game, we controlled the game defensively. We let Mikel Arteta play the ball from side to side, we were completely under control. It was important not to lose and be five points behind the leaders.
“We had the game under control, if we score a goal we win for sure.”
The 50-year-old added: “We want to go in another direction in the future. I am building a team for a long period, not just one season. We want creative players who use the ball and kill opponents. But there are some matches where we have to take one step backwards and play with a different philosophy.”
The draw leaves Chelsea fourth in the table and two points behind leaders Liverpool, and Mourinho insisted that Blues fans can take plenty of encouragement from the start they have made this season.
“We have played in the home of three direct opponents and didn’t lose one of these three moments,” he continued.
“OK, we don’t go to Christmas as leaders but we go with evolution because last season the championship was already lost by this point. Now, we are there.
“Manchester United and Tottenham are not in this top four but they should be. It is a unique situation, an unbelievable championship because we are all there.”
