Arsene Wenger tells Jose Mourinho to 'learn to cope' with battling richer rivals

Arsenal manager made comments following Manchester United counterpart claims that not enough money is being spent at Old Trafford to match Premier League runaway leaders City

Arsene Wenger has told Jose Mourinho he needs to learn how to cope with being outspent by richer Premier League rivals. Andrew Boyers / Reuters.

Arsene Wenger has hinted Jose Mourinho should stop complaining about being unable to match Manchester City's spending power.

Arsenal manager Wenger has insisted he has "learned to cope" with battling richer rivals during his 21-years in charge of the North London club.

A frustrated Mourinho reacted to Manchester United's 2-2 Old Trafford draw with Burnley by insisting the club must increase their spending to catch runaway leaders City.

United have spent roughly £286 million (Dh1.4 billion) since Mourinho took the Old Trafford helm in 2016, compared to City's £360m in the same time-frame.

When quizzed on Mourinho's comments, Wenger suggested his United counterpart may simply have to accept that his side cannot match City's riches.

"I have been in that position for 21 years so I can't start to complain now," said Wenger, of Mourinho's frustrations with Manchester City flexing their financial muscles.

"There have always been three or four teams richer than I am. I've learned to cope with that.

"We deal with our own situation as well as we can. Man City, Chelsea and Man United are all richer than us.

"You have to find ways to be successful."

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Read more:

• Reaction: Klopp refuses to be star struck by Liverpool's free-scoring front line
• Richard Jolly: Lingard's escapology act against Burnley cannot mask another poor day for United
• Ian Hawkey: Kane's appetite for goals results in record-breaking year for Tottenham striker

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United's Portuguese manager Mourinho reacted to his side's rallying draw with Burnley by insisting the Old Trafford club must increase their spending to return to the top of the world game.

A Jesse Lingard double salvaged a point for United, but an irked Mourinho later bemoaned City's free-spending approach, heaping pressure on his own club's board in the process.

"Manchester City buy full-backs for the price of strikers," Mourinho said. When it was pointed out that United have spent heavily during his Old Trafford tenure, Mourinho continued: "OK, it is not enough."

Arsenal will take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Thursday night, with Olivier Giroud, Nacho Monreal and Aaron Ramsey all sidelined.

New Everton manager Sam Allardyce this week claimed Arsenal striker Giroud's wife was the driving force behind the France international rejecting a summer move to Goodison Park.

Wenger laughed off that claim however, while suggesting the 31-year-old striker wants to remain living in London.

Asked to respond to Allardyce's claim that Giroud's wife scuppered a summer Everton move, Wenger said: "No, I don't think so.

"He could have joined Everton and stayed basically in London. I don't think that was the problem."

Allardyce had said of Giroud: "He doesn't want to move north of London, I don't think. Or his wife doesn't. It is very important to the wives you know. Normally they are the bosses, I say that with experience."

Wenger also confirmed he expects progress on a possible new contract for England midfielder Jack Wilshere.

On Wilshere's future, Wenger added: "I believe that if we can meet a point of agreement financially he will want to stay."