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Football

10th Feb 2018

Main difference between Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger revealed by Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Like chalk and cheese

Darragh Murphy

It comes as no surprise that Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jose Mourinho didn’t have the greatest relationship.

Mourinho is famously difficult to win over as a manager and, over the years, several top players have fallen by the wayside after failing to convince ‘The Special One’.

Nobody can deny Mkhitaryan’s ability but his dedication was questioned by Mourinho after the Armenia international sealed his January move to Arsenal as part of Alexis Sanchez’s switch to Manchester United.

Mkhitaryan needed no time at all to settle into his new surroundings as he came up with a hat-trick of assists on his full Gunners debut last week.

The 29-year-old also found the net in Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Everton and he appears to be flourishing under Arsene Wenger’s management style.

Having worked under the Frenchman for a fortnight now, Mkhitaryan seems much fonder of how Wenger treats his players.

We’re sure several former players would agree with Mkhitaryan’s assessment of the different managerial techniques of both Wenger and Mourinho.

“Mourinho required a lot from the players,” Mkhitaryan told SFR Sport on Friday.

“A lot, he was very hard. Arsene Wenger is friendlier, he understands, can think about players’ situations, is calmer. That’s the difference.

“I think I left an impression in Manchester, although I had difficulties,” he added.

“We won three trophies in a year and a half, it’s not every club that does that.

“We won the Europa League final, I scored a goal. If people say that I have not had enough success it is their opinion, but I can say that I had a lot of success at the club.”