Jose Mourinho: Arsenal should be challenging for the title

Jose Mourinho admits that he cannot understand why Arsenal have failed to mount a Premier League title challenge this season.

The Gunners moved up to third place in the Premier League table on Saturday after battling to a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

However, Arsene Wenger’s men still remain 12 points behind Mourinho’s leaders Chelsea after ending their nine-year wait for a trophy by winning the FA Cup last season.

I like the way they play and I think they have a very good squad

Jose Mourinho

Mourinho says that he is at a loss to explain why the north London side have been unable to win more trophies in recent years under Wenger.

But the Chelsea boss admitted that he is a keen admirer of the squad currently assembled at Emirates Stadium.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday, Mourinho said: “Arsenal? I don’t understand why they are not where we are with Man City.

“I like their team very much, I think they have very good players. I think Alexis [Sanchez] and [Danny] Welbeck were important players to add to already a very good squad. I think they are a team for more.”

The Portuguese coach continued: “When I look at the players, the squad, I really think they have to win because the squad is fantastic.

“I don’t know really [why Arsenal haven’t won more trophies] but what I know is that they are capable of playing very good football.

“They have very talented players, they have people to score goals, especially coming from the midfield and the sides.

“And when you have such a squad in terms of quality and numbers – when you look at the attacking options they have… [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain, [Mesut] Ozil, [Theo] Walcott, [Santi] Cazorla, [Tomas] Rosicky, Alexis [Sanchez]… it’s an unbelievable number of options.

“I like the way they play and I think they have a very good squad.”

Chelsea take on Tottenham in the League Cup final next weekend, while Arsenal host Everton in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium.