Monday 3 August 2015 18:07, UK
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour says Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho are both to blame for their handshake row.
The Arsenal manager seemed to avoid his Chelsea counterpart after Sunday’s Community Shield match at Wembley, which the Frenchman’s side won 1-0 courtesy of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal.
Wenger implied a lack of respect from Mourinho – whom he defeated for the first time in 14 attempts – was his reason for snubbing the former Real Madrid coach.
But Parlour thinks the pair should have shaken hands due to the prominent positions they hold.
Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, he said: "You could see when he was walking down the stairs, Jose did turn round but Arsene has walked straight round the back of him.
"As a manager you’ve got to be a bit of a role model, and not just to the team itself, but to youngsters at the club as well.
"I think it’s a bit of respect for both sides if you do shake hands. I think they’re both to blame a little bit."
As a manager, you’ve got to be a bit of a role model and not just to the team itself but to youngsters at the club as well.
Mourinho was quick to criticise Arsenal’s defensive approach but Parlour was pleased to see his old side hold on and see out victory.
Previous failure to do that in key games has proven costly and Parlour is now looking for Wenger’s side to become more consistent.
He added: "Over the last few seasons, that’s been their problem and at times they have been too offensive so he’ll be really pleased they’ve shown a bit of grit.
"When we had to defend, we defended as a team and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you go 1-0 up and you’re going to try to win trophies, there are times when you’ve got to sit in.
"The next step now is can they do that on a consistent basis? If they can, they will be very close this year. That was much bigger yesterday for Arsenal than Chelsea.
"Arsenal – having not beaten Mourinho in 14 games – will see their confidence levels go up in the dressing room. They’ll say: ‘Look, we can compete with the best sides and the league champions.’
"The big question is can they finish above Chelsea? I never put my predictions down until the end of the transfer window because you never know what activity there will be.
"Manchester United might still buy two or three really big names and Chelsea, I’m sure, will be in the market for a striker or whoever they need. Manchester City are still in the market, too.
"Before the end of the transfer window it’s very difficult to see who has got what, and what sort of strengths they have in their sides.
"I’m hoping Arsenal can buy someone else. Whether they will, we’ll have to wait and see, but after the result yesterday, they’ll get a lot of belief and confidence out of that."
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