Are You Sure, Jose? Wenger Accuses Chelsea Of Selling Mata To Dent Rivals' Title Chances

Its all part of the plan, Arsene Wenger has insinuated Chelsea have used transfer regulations to their advantage in selling Juan Mata to Manchester United.

Chelsea’s decision to part with Mata has surprised Wenger, the Arsenal manager says Jose Mourinho has been clever in agreeing to the playmaker’s sale.

Chelsea have already played United twice in the Barclays Premier League this season, but David Moyes’ side still have to face Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton before the end of the season; clubs who are in direct competition with Chelsea in the race for the title and a Champions League spot.

And Wenger, who also feels Mata’s departure from Stamford Bridge could signal the beginning of the end for Roman Abramovich’s big-spending ways, claims the fact United still have to face the quartet has not been ignored by Mourinho.

‘I am surprised by the move because Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent,’ said Wenger.

‘But it opens a little bit the opportunity of this transfer market because Chelsea have already played twice against Manchester United so they don’t play again any more.

‘They could have sold him last week (before Chelsea played United). Some teams have already played twice against one opponent and some not. I think if you want to respect the fairness for everybody that should not happen.

‘I can understand completely what Chelsea is doing. They do not make the rules but maybe the rules should be adapted for more fairness.

‘They have done nothing wrong, they just play with the rules. Maybe the transfer window should stop when everybody has played once.’

Wenger, whose side face Coventry in the FA Cup on Friday night, found himself in a similar scenario at the start of last season, selling Robin van Persie to United in a move that played a huge part in the Old Trafford club’s title triumph.

But the Gunners boss admitted he was not so open to selling to a domestic rival as Mourinho seems to be.

‘United was not a club I wanted to sell Van Persie to, I wanted to sell him to Juventus,’ revealed Wenger.  ‘But he had decided to go to Manchester United  and at the end of the day you need the agreement of the three parties.’

Wenger, however, admitted Mourinho could live to regret his decision to sell Mata and feels the Spaniard’s shock move to Old Trafford is the first sign of Chelsea reining in their heavy spending.

‘I think it’s a financial reason, too,’ added the Arsenal boss.  ‘That is the first time I have come to that conclusion with Chelsea. It means somewhere that Chelsea has changed philosophy and they want to get in line with Financial Fair Play. That is the main reason, that is a good thing.’