Arsenal’s Petr Cech admits Manchester United clash is a six pointer

The Gunners haven’t won at Old Trafford in a decade and Arsene Wenger has never beaten Jose Mourinho in the league – but as should be clear by now, post-truth 2016 doesn’t care about logic.

Part of the antagonism, of course, stems from the contrast in styles – Wenger’s determination to uphold his footballing philosophy while Mourinho has a more win-at-all-costs mentality. I don’t think it will be this season though the next couple of months will be so important for him and the team.

“Does that mean we should be respected, even in periods where our results are not the best?”

“Look, I don’t think I have to describe our relationship”.

However, Mourinho did confirm that Shaw would be available to face the Gunners and will certainly play a part in a hard run of fixtures, with United due to play Feyenoord and West Ham United twice before the end of the month.

Wenger will be careful about overloading Sanchez, who has scored eight goals for Arsenal this season from his new position as converted striker.

Thankfully, it’s much harder to hit the target when you’re wrecked.

When asked whether Mourinho was in the right to criticize his players like that, Southgate dodged the question in his response: “It is a club matter and it is not for me to comment on in terms of players playing with injury”.

There are also doubts about midfielder Marouane Fellaini and full back Luke Shaw as Mourinho grapples with the most serious injury crisis of his time at United.

“I always remember it being a tough clash and a massive battle”, he said.

Ozil meanwhile is his best form of his Arsenal career since joining the club in 2013.

That might be the reason why Wenger has had issues with Mourinho.

The time has come for another edition of Jose Mourinho versus Arsene Wenger saga.

“That’s not important”, Mourinho said. I find it hard to believe that this tactic would make the two defenders perform better.

“They play for the team and not anyone else, they have very good control”.

“A football match is an isolated event, nothing to do with what happened before or happen in future”.

Wenger’s only success over Mourinho came in the 2015 Community Shield.

“You know, we didn’t lose always – you present that”, he said of his record against the ex-Chelsea boss. As of the most recent meeting last season, the record reads United with 94 wins, Arsenal with 80 and 49 draws between the pair.

“So I think when one day, if I become a national team manager, I will try, try, I am not saying that I will be successful on that, and I am not being critic of Gareth or anyone”.