Jose Mourinho, Chelsea Boss, Says Arsenal Coach Arsene Wenger Is 'A Specialist In Failure'

While the climb to the top of the Barclays Premier League remains a battle – with just seven points separating the top 5 teams – a continuous war of words between two of the league's premier coaches continues to grab headlines. Jose Mourinho and Chelsea currently sit atop the table with 57 points through 26 matches and while that should be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about the strong season for the Blues, another public statement from the former Real Madrid leader has sparked the attention of the international soccer world.

Mourinho and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger have gone back and forth for nearly a decade and with plenty on the line this season in the Premier League, tensions are running high for the main teams still in contention. Wenger noted recently that his managerial counterpart has a 'fear' of failure after Mourinho previously stated that Arsenal have no excuses if they miss out on capturing the 2013-2014 Premier League crown. “It's fear to fail,” Wenger said. “It is very open. Only Chelsea can lose it now because they are in front and the all other teams can win it.

“It will be very tight until the end,” he continued. “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 our job is to be ambitious and to try to win, if we do not win - to take full responsibility for that. 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.”

Speaking to members of the media at a news conference before Chelsea takes the pitch against Manchester City in the FA Cup, Mourinho did not hold back his thoughts regarding Wenger's diss.

“He's a specialist in failure,” Mourinho said. “I am not. The reality is he's a specialist because eight years without a piece of silverware, that is failure. If Mr. Abramovich (Chelsea owner) gives me eight years, in eight years you have to build so much, so much, so much. I don't want eight years. I just want my four years of contract and, after that, to deserve or not deserve the next contract.”

Chelsea owns a one-point lead over Arsenal for the top spot in the English League standings while Manchester City (54 points), Liverpool (53 points) and Tottenham (50 points) remain within striking distance. The Blues and Gunners meet one final time this season on March 22 at Stamford Bridge.