Jose Mourinho 'doesn't understand' why Arsenal are not challenging Chelsea for the title

The Gunners moved back up to third yesterday but any hopes of reaching the summit have been dismissed

Jose Mourinho and Arsenal (GETTY IMAGES)

Jose Mourinho has expressed his surprise that Arsenal are not challenging his Chelsea team for the Premier League title.

The Chelsea manager made the comments during an intense appearing on Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday, during which he accused the broadcaster of lacking impartiality and labelled Ashley Barnes' challenge on Nemanja Matic during yesterday's draw with Burnley as "criminal".

"I don't understand why they are not up there with Chelsea and Manchester City," said Mourinho of Arsenal, who moved up to third yesterday with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

"Arsenal are a team I like very much. They have very good players and Alexis (Sanchez) is a very important player to add to what they have got. They are a team for more."

On Arsene Wenger, with whom Mourinho has a complex relationship, the Chelsea manager said: "He has a dream job, everyone would love to have the security he has of being manager year after year after year. He won so many titles in a certain period and that gave him that credibility he deserves. He is obviously a fantastic manager. He has a fantastic situation to be successful.

"When you look at the players in the squad, they are capable of playing very good football."