Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that Arsenal were right to stand by Arsene Wenger this summer following his success in the FA Cup.
The long-serving Gunners boss faced calls to step down from his position after more than two decades at the helm, only to be handed a new two-year contract at the end of May after winning the domestic cup competition.
Mourinho said that he believes Arsenal were the third-most successful club in English football last season, behind champions Chelsea and double winners Man United, while at the same time taking a dig at Manchester City and Liverpool following their trophyless campaigns.
"I think after the champions Chelsea, Manchester United is the second club that we can say was most successful last season and Arsenal the third, for me that's absolutely clear," The Telegraph quotes him as saying.
"To finish second, third or fourth [in the Premier League] is like finishing first, second, third of the losers because there is only one winner. Arsenal won a competition, we won two-and-a-half, I like to say, so the other clubs won nothing so they have to improve.
"It's fantastic treatment [of Wenger by Arsenal], that's what every manager wants, the club to be strong, to be strong enough to make their own decisions and to forget the media and pundit opinion and supporters' strength and Mr Wenger got what every manager would like, a strong club, you stay two more years of contract, and have the conditions to work and try to win titles."
Wenger has now lifted the FA Cup three times in four seasons, though his wait for a Premier League title stretches 13 years.
Daniel Lewis
