Arsenal News: Shock reaction, Chelsea hit back, sack race heats up, Man Utd injury worry

EXPRESS SPORT brings you all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene WengerPA

Arsene Wenger (centre) was left frustrated by Arsenal's defeat last night

Arsene Wenger reacted to Arsenal's shock 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos last night by insisting he made the right call in starting David Ospina.

Goalkeeper Ospina was at fault for Olympiacos' second goal when he dropped a corner over the line.

Petr Cech was left on the bench after reportedly suffering a calf injury.

And Wenger hit back at claims he made the wrong decision.

“I do not have to sit here and give you any explanation about every decision I make,” Wenger said.

“You are capable to judge what I do and I leave you to that.

"Cech had a slight [fitness] alert before the game at Leicester [on Saturday]. I didn’t want to take a gamble but it’s not because of that we lost the game. It’s a farce [to suggest that].”

Wenger wasn't the only manager trying to justify his team selection last night.

For Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hit back at critics and defended his decision to leave out strikers Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy from the squad in their 2-1 defeat at Porto.

Mourinho did not have a striker to call on as his side chased the game, although Diego Costa drew plaudits for his performance.

Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic were dropped to the bench, while John Terry didn't play.

Asked if he knows his best team, Mourinho said: “I don’t know what is that? The ‘best players’? No, when you have good results, win matches, perform well... that’s what we said yesterday about ‘untouchables'.

“Untouchables means consistency in the performances. We don’t have consistency in performances, so that means we don’t have untouchables.

Indeed, any chance of Wenger being the first Premier League manager to get the sack appears unlikely, but Chelsea legend Graeme Le Saux believes Mourinho may soon be let go.

"You only have to look at Chelsea’s history to see how quickly they change managers when they’re not happy with something… so watch this space," he told talkSPORT.

"They’re only eight points behind [league leaders Manchester United], so they’re still in there, but they could be out of sight had Manchester City continued with the form they showed at the start of the season.

"They’re in the worst form a Jose Mourinho team has even been in, whether that’s at Chelsea or any other club he’s managed."

Laurent KoscielnyGETTY

Laurent Koscielny is an injury worry for Arsenal's weekend clash with Manchester United

Up next for Arsenal is a crunch Premier League clash with Manchester United.

And after the Olympiacos game Wenger confirmed  picked up a knock that may rule him out Sunday's showdown.

Frenchman Koscielny appeared to tweak his hamstring when making a sliding challenge in the second half and was immediately subbed off for Per Mertesacker.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?