THERE was respect, just a little bit. But none of it, publicly at least, is for Jose Mourinho.
Arsene Wenger hates these clashes and the statistics that go with it.
Jose Mourinho has won eight of their 15 meetings, six games have been drawn and Wenger’s only success was the 2015 Community Shield.
“You know, we didn’t lose always - you present that,” he blusters. “We have beaten them and there was many draws as well.
“I think I have won against every manager in the world during my 20 years here and I do not make of this game a competition between two managers.
“It’s between two clubs and two teams and I think I can understand that people want to create controversy, but it’s not that that makes the audience. What will make the audience is the quality of the game.
But however much Wenger tries to play down the fact that Manchester United v Arsenal on Saturday (12.30pm) is still Mourinho v Wenger, there is simply too much water under the bridge.
Voyeurism, specialising in failure… barbs thrown across London when Mourinho was at Chelsea mean no love is lost between the pair.
In fact, one reporter wondered, would Wenger even shake the Portuguese’s hand?
“Of course,” he replied. “I respect…” Then there was a subtle pause.
Jose Mourinho snapped leaving the Lowry Hotel
Wed, November 16, 2016Jose Mourinho looked happy this morning as he was snapped leaving the Lowry Hotel in Manchester
Jose Mourinho was snapped leaving the Lowry Hotel this morning
Was Wenger actually going to say that, despite it all, he actually respects Mourinho?
A glint appeared in his eye. For the moment, Wenger is a man in control, doing much, much better than his opposite number.
He is relaxed, less defensive and strangely playful – he knows he can rise above it. Nevertheless, he seemed to be choosing his words with pointed care.
“I respect the ritual that is so important in the Premier League,” he finished.
Not Mourinho after all.