Arsene Wenger emerged bruised from the ring at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after another failed attempt to finally beat the cunning Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho.

And while no body (by which I mean any gooner) needs reminding of Mourinho’s undefeated record against Wenger (P12, L7, D5 W0, GS6 GC21) no one can deny that Mourinho has found a way to ruffle the feathers of the usually unflappable Frenchman.

Since his return to England for a second stint in charge of the West Londoners, Mourinho has already orchestrated the 6-0 mauling of Wenger’s men during what was Le Prof’s 1000th game in charge, before publicly declaring him a ‘Specialist in failure’ in the media.

…And while Arsene, as the longest serving manager in the country (18 years), will have overcome more than his fair share of adversaries, some of whom may have also resorted to barefaced name-calling and ‘mind games’ in order to gain a psychological advantage in the past, no one has quite managed to get under his skin, like the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’.

On Sunday, Arsenal returned to the Bridge for the first time since that harrowing defeat in March, to exorcise those demons and to prove their title credentials against an even better Chelsea outfit than that which humiliated them so comprehensively last year. Yet Arsenal’s undoubted progress this summer proved too slow as they were forced to leave without a point, without a goal and with the Arsenal boss vehemently denying having put his hands on the Chelsea manager, when they clashed on brink of halftime.

In truth, Wenger only left his technical area to get a better look at his marquee summer signing, Alexis Sanchez, writhing in pain on the touchline, following a reckless challenge from Chelsea and England defender, Gary Cahill; for which he probably should have been sent off. It was Wenger however, who truly saw red as he became incensed when Mourinho blocked his path and gestured for him to return to his box.

The Arsenal boss, then raised his hands to Mourinho’s chest and forcefully pushed him away before returning to his corner, with a wry smile etched across his face as if to accept that the conniving Portuguese had somehow managed to get under his skin… again!

But exactly why is it that the red mist seems to descend on the intelligent, comprised and so often composed Arsenal manager, whenever Mourinho is around?

Maybe it’s because Mourinho’s Chelsea epitomize the antithesis of Wenger’s project over in North London… where the future stability of the club is overshadowed by the immediate pressure for on-field success and where ready-made superstars are purchased, rather than developed. Where the clubs largest revenue stream is the bank account of a single Russian billionaire; the same Russian billionaire who many people, including Wenger, I suspect, hold personally responsible for the hyperinflation of transfer fees and players wages over a period in which Arsenal were decidedly strapped for cash.

Could it be even be as simple as having to watch the likes of Eden Hazard… a talent unearthed by Wenger whilst playing for Lille in his native France, but who, seduced by the money on offer in West London, elected to join Chelsea instead… slalom through the spine of Wenger’s team before both winning and then coolly converting a decisive penalty kick.

It could even be born out of his disappointment in his own players, to whom he shows endless faith, and yet who failed to even register a shot on target during the derby (the first time that has happened in a league match for 11 years) even after the best keeper in the league, Thibaut Courtois, was forced to retire early with a head injury.

Perhaps it was just in response to the clearly premeditated and persistent fouling that the opposition resorted to, in order to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm, coupled with the lenience of referee, Martin Atkinson, who waited until the 85th minute to show Oscar, his first yellow card.

Or maybe, just maybe, it had something to do with Cesc Fabregas; the Gunner’s youngest ever captain, who Wenger reluctantly allowed to return to Spain to ply his trade in his native Barcelona, but who is now suddenly lining up to quarter-back the Blues’ onslaught on the Premier league crown, and who sliced open Arsenal’s defense yesterday, with the sort of precision one would hope to expect from a heart surgeon… ironic perhaps, given the distinct pain in my own chest, whenever I see him in a Chelsea shirt.

Or could it possibly have something to do with being subjected to seeing Mourinho celebrated for his hypocrisy… as he condemns ‘parking the bus’ tactics when they are deployed against his own side, only to then revel in his own genius, when forced to resort to it himself… while Wenger is at least honourable enough (maybe stubborn and naïve also) to both live and die by his footballing philosophy.

In my opinion, it is likely a combination of all of the above, plus ‘his smug little face’ that drives Arsene Wenger mad. And though it has since emerged that the Gunner’s boss will face no action from the FA following his outburst at the Bridge (quite right too) Mourinho will be content with the punishment Arsenal were subjected to, on the pitch, on Sunday, because anyone who knows anything at all about the great man; knows that is where it really hurts him.

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