Frenchman encourages former boss to concentrate on his
own side and insists "it's time now" for Arsenal to pick up some
silverware
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has advised Arsene Wenger to ignore any mind games Jose Mourinho is trying to play.
The two clubs face each other in the Capital One Cup tomorrow, with the Chelsea boss suggesting he will field a weakened team to combat the Blues' busy fixture schedule.
But Petit, who played for both clubs during his time in England, has queried whether Mourinho is just trying to play games with the Arsenal manager.
Speaking to Press Association sport, he asked: "Do you believe Mourinho?
"It doesn't matter if it's the Capital One Cup, if it's the Premier League or Champions League, whatever, even if it's a friendly game, he will want to win."
While the tie comes in a busy period for Chelsea, it also falls in the middle of a tough month for the Gunners.
The Premier League leaders face second-placed Liverpool on Saturday, before trips to Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United.
And Petit, who won the league title with Arsenal in 1998 has called on his former club to come through the tricky period and go on to pick up their first silverware for nine years.
Frosty: Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger have endured a tumultuous relationship
He continued: "It's time now. I was a bit worried at the beginning of the season because I didn't see big guns coming to the club, but then they put £50m on the table and bring in Mesut Ozil.
"Their first 11 is very strong, their confidence and happiness when they're looking at the game, it's amazing.
"I haven't seen real confidence like this often before, except maybe Barcelona and Bayern Munich."
The Premier League success in 1998 was Arsene Wenger's first trophy in England and he has since gone on to two more championship titles.
However, former World Cup winner Petit insists the wait for success has become too long at the Emirates and Wenger has to add to the trophy cabinet as soon as possible.
The Frenchman concluded: "He needs to win titles especially domestically.
"The Capital One Cup is very important because it can have an effect on the rest of the competitions, especially the Premier League."
Once a Gunner: Emmanuel Petit enjoyed a successful spell at Arsenal after signing in 1997
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has advised Arsene Wenger to ignore any mind games Jose Mourinho is trying to play.
The two clubs face each other in the Capital One Cup tomorrow, with the Chelsea boss suggesting he will field a weakened team to combat the Blues' busy fixture schedule.
But Petit, who played for both clubs during his time in England, has queried whether Mourinho is just trying to play games with the Arsenal manager.
Speaking to Press Association sport, he asked: "Do you believe Mourinho?
"It doesn't matter if it's the Capital One Cup, if it's the Premier League or Champions League, whatever, even if it's a friendly game, he will want to win."
While the tie comes in a busy period for Chelsea, it also falls in the middle of a tough month for the Gunners.
The Premier League leaders face second-placed Liverpool on Saturday, before trips to Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United.
And Petit, who won the league title with Arsenal in 1998 has called on his former club to come through the tricky period and go on to pick up their first silverware for nine years.
Frosty: Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger have endured a tumultuous relationship
He continued: "It's time now. I was a bit worried at the beginning of the season because I didn't see big guns coming to the club, but then they put £50m on the table and bring in Mesut Ozil.
"Their first 11 is very strong, their confidence and happiness when they're looking at the game, it's amazing.
"I haven't seen real confidence like this often before, except maybe Barcelona and Bayern Munich."
The Premier League success in 1998 was Arsene Wenger's first trophy in England and he has since gone on to two more championship titles.
However, former World Cup winner Petit insists the wait for success has become too long at the Emirates and Wenger has to add to the trophy cabinet as soon as possible.
The Frenchman concluded: "He needs to win titles especially domestically.
"The Capital One Cup is very important because it can have an effect on the rest of the competitions, especially the Premier League."
Once a Gunner: Emmanuel Petit enjoyed a successful spell at Arsenal after signing in 1997
