Arsenal can challenge for EPL in 2015: Chelsea defender Cahill

Chelsea’s defence of their Premier League crown begins on Saturday, at home to Swansea City.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised his team’s uncharacteristically rugged display after they beat champions Chelsea 1-0 in the Community Shield.

The same back four from last season seem to have a better understanding, while the signing of Petr Cech has given them a huge boost as they try to win the title this time around.

But asked if homegrown youngsters, such as Loftus-Cheek, feature in his plans for the upcoming season, Mourinho said: “It depends on him not on me. I’ve said that many times in managers’ meetings that managers should respect each other“.

Losing is just disgusting in all aspects – it’s a trophy that’s gone now.

“It hurt when you saw them walk up the stairs to lift it. It means a lot because you work all season to be here”.

Do you think Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho will ever be friends?

Mourinho was adamant that he waited for the Frenchman but felt that bad blood from last season had played a part as the Arsenal boss opted to keep his distance. In fact, since the inception of the Premier League in 1992-93, just seven teams who have won the Community Shield (or Charity Shield) have gone on to win the title nine months later.

“Listen, it hurts. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly”, he said.

Arsenal are perceived as bottlers with a weak mentality but I don’t see it that way.

That is likely to depend on how long striker Diego Costa stays injury-free and whether newcomer Radamel Falcao is more prolific in front of goal than during his insipid season at Manchester United.

Wenger and Mourinho previously put their personal issues to one side at a UEFA coaches forum, but they are feuding again because of the Chelsea manager’s repeated provocation.

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey says their Wembley success proved they have finally figured out how to defeat their main rivals. I know that my club is able to buy or to sell – every club can buy or can sell in this moment – but I don’t like that feeling.

Terry and his teammates also struggled against fatigue towards the end of last term – their impressive start was ultimately what inspired them to the title – but the defender said their conditioning was not a concern going into the new campaign.