Thursday Sep 29 2005 16:01
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has branded
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho arrogant, in a controversial interview with a Catalan newspaper.
The Spaniard claimed the gesture Mourinho made in front of Liverpool fans, which got him sent from the touchline during Sunday's Carling Cup final, was a sign he is struggling to cope with his success.
"I saw the Carling Cup final and he acted arrogantly," Almunia told El Mundo Deportivo.
"It is clear that Mourinho believes he is superior to the rest and that his success has gone to his head."
The Gunners shot-stopper also backed Barcelona to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League, after the Catalan giants won the first leg of their last 16 clash 2-1.
He added: "They (Barca) are going to have problems in the return against Chelsea but I have confidence in Barcelona. They have done well this season."
Almunia saved his most controversial remarks for the Spanish FA, when he criticised them for punishing national team boss Luis Aragones for making racist comments about Thierry Henry.
He believes that Aragones' comments to Jose Antonio Reyes were taken out of context and the Spanish FA over-stepped the mark by fining him - an opinion that is unlikely to go down well in the Highbury dressing room.
"This has all gone too far and on top of everything we all know Luis Aragones," said Almunia.
"He is a strong personality that only tries to motivate his players, but a racist? Never. They have fined him 3,000 euros? I do not understand this."
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