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Chelsea plan attacking game

By Clare Lovell
December 11, 2004 13:32 IST
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Chelsea do not plan to sit back and defend when they visit Highbury in their top-of the-table clash on Sunday, despite their five-point lead over Arsenal, manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday.

"Tactics won't change much," he told reporters after Chelsea's final training session. "We analyse the opposition and change little things in relation to them.

"We will travel by bus but I promise we will not park it in front of the goal," the Portuguese manager added.

After a goal-thrifty start to the season Chelsea have hit the back of the net four times in five of their last seven English Premier League games.

They also enjoy the league's most frugal defence, having conceded only six goals in 16 fixtures.

Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in the Premier League since 1995 but Mourinho said the pressure on the champions was greater for this eagerly-awaited fixture.

"Whatever the outcome we will still be top of the league after the game, whether it is by two points, five points or eight points. And if it is eight points, I tell you that's a lot," he said.

"I always prefer to be in front. I think the pressure is greater for those following."

Mourinho said his squad had great belief despite the league hoodoo against the Gunners.

"We believe we can do it but we know it's difficult. We don't forget we were five points behind a few weeks ago and now we are five in front," he said.

"I don't want my team to be crazy with happiness if we win and I don't want them to be crying if we lose. I want a balance," Mourinho added.

The Portuguese coach, who won the UEFA Cup and Champions League in successive years with Porto said he had deep admiration for Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger for his results and his staying power.

"I think he is one of the best in the world. His team always play good football...he's been in his job for many years and if you stay in a job for many years in this country you must be very good. I have a lot of respect for him."

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Clare Lovell
Source: REUTERS
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