Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel recently discussed the intense rivalry between Chelsea and Arsenal during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
In an episode of The Obi One Podcast, the former Super Eagles player shared how legendary manager José Mourinho heightened the competitive spirit between the two London teams.
Mikel recounted that Mourinho often created an atmosphere of tension even before the matches began, using his press conferences to provoke Arsenal’s then-manager, Arsène Wenger, and setting the stage for high-stakes encounters.
He explained that Mourinho’s motivational strategies centered around emphasizing the rivalry and pushing his players to outperform and outsmart Arsenal. Mourinho was known for his psychological tactics, instilling a mentality of victory in the Chelsea squad for every match against their rivals.
“He would stand at the tunnel, eyeing the players, making you think about whether to shake hands with Arsenal players. If you did, he might send you back to the changing room. We had a strong dislike for each other. He would engage Arsène, trying to provoke him, and that’s where he gained the upper hand. He would come back to us and say, ‘I’ve taken on Arsène in the press conference; now it’s your turn to ensure you dominate the game.’ He even referred to them as ‘kids,’” Mikel recalled.
Under Mourinho’s guidance, Chelsea clinched multiple Premier League titles while maintaining a powerful record against Arsenal, which only served to deepen the rivalry between the two clubs.
