Jose MourinhoCoach·Jose Mourinho, recently appointed manager of Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid, has publicly defended Mikel Arteta's tactical philosophy at ArsenalTeam·Arsenal, particularly in the wake of their successful 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League campaign. Mourinho's comments address the scrutiny Arteta faced regarding ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's playing style, which some critics deemed overly pragmatic.
ArsenalTeam·Arsenal secured their first Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League title in 22 years last season, finishing seven points clear of Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City. The Gunners also reached the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League final, ultimately losing to Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. Despite these significant achievements, Arteta's team drew criticism for a perceived reliance on set-pieces, which accounted for 35 per cent of their goals – the highest percentage for any Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League champion since the league's inception in 1992.
Mourinho, a manager who has frequently faced similar critiques throughout his illustrious career, including during his three Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League title wins with ChelseaTeam·Chelsea, asserted that success validates a team's approach. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he dismissed the notion that a team can be considered great without winning.
"Nowadays, but even before, there was a silly theory of, 'You can be great without winning.' For me, it's totally silly. It goes against the nature of sport, because in sport, the objective is to win," Mourinho stated.
He further elaborated on his stance regarding ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's specific situation, suggesting that attempting to mimic another team's style might have hindered their success.
"In relation to Arsenal, I believe that if Arsenal tried to be a second Man City, probably they wouldn't win. So they won. You have to respect the winners," Mourinho added.
Mourinho, who managed BenficaTeam·Benfica until September 2025 before his return to Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid in July 2026, drew parallels to his own experiences. He recalled his Inter Milan side's Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League triumph, highlighting how their defensive masterclass against BarcelonaTeam·Barcelona often overshadowed their attacking prowess in other matches, such as a 3-1 victory against the same opponent a week prior. He also referenced his Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid team from the 2011-12 season, which scored 121 goals and achieved 100 points in La Liga, challenging the perception that his teams are inherently defensive.
ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's 2025/26 season was marked by a robust defensive record, conceding a league-low 34 goals in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League. This defensive solidity, combined with their clinical execution from set-pieces, proved instrumental in their title charge. Mourinho's defense of Arteta underscores a long-held managerial philosophy that prioritizes results and adapting to a team's strengths over adhering to a singular, aesthetically driven playing model.
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