Cesc Fabregas chose Chelsea over Arsenal to win trophies, says Jose Mourinho as midfielder heads back to the Emirates

Jose Mourinho taunted Arsenal ahead of Sunday's derby by claiming Cesc Fabregas was attracted to Chelsea by the promise of winning trophies.

Fabregas returned to London from Barcelona last year, opting for Stamford Bridge above the Emirates Stadium, where he was Arsene Wenger's captain.

He will return to play at Arsenal for the first time since he left with Chelsea closing in on the Barclays Premier League title.

Cesc Fabregas, battling Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney, came to Chelsea to win, says Jose Mourinho

Cesc Fabregas, battling Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney, came to Chelsea to win, says Jose Mourinho

Mourinho can take Chelsea to within three points of Premier League glory with a win over Arsenal

Mourinho can take Chelsea to within three points of Premier League glory with a win over Arsenal

Fabregas (left) will play at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since joining Chelsea last summer

Fabregas (left) will play at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since joining Chelsea last summer

'I know why he chose Chelsea,' Mourinho said. 'I don't know why he didn't choose Arsenal. I only know what we promised him and what he promised us. 


'I can't talk about why he left Arsenal, why he didn't go back. I don't know if it was his decision or the manager's decision. We promised him a team built in the style to suit his play. 

'Normally good projects go in hand with titles and he was looking for that.'

Fabregas is sure to face a red-hot reception at his former stomping ground, but Mourinho believes there is no reason why the former Gunners skipper shouldn't face the same adulation that greeted Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge earlier this year.

Mourinho said: 'I'm not worried about that. Frank Lampard played at Stamford Bridge without any problem and with a good reception. 

'I don't see a reason for Fabregas not to have the same at the Emirates. But he is more than ready if he has a bad reaction. He played at Barcelona in an Arsenal shirt.' 

Wenger has not beaten a team managed by Mourinho in 12 meetings and the Portuguese appeared to take a swipe at the Frenchman by claiming he does not regard him as a significant rival.

'For me he's not my rival. I don't feel that. He's the manager of a big club in the same city where I work and live. 

Mourinho says Fabregas should get a good reception from Arsenal fans, but he is ready if he gets a bad one

Mourinho says Fabregas should get a good reception from Arsenal fans, but he is ready if he gets a bad one

Mourinho (right) clashed with Arsene Wenger on the sidelines in the game at Stamford Bridge last year

Mourinho (right) clashed with Arsene Wenger on the sidelines in the game at Stamford Bridge last year

Sport analysts BSports are predicting a tight match, with Arsenal slight favourites to beat Chelsea

Sport analysts BSports are predicting a tight match, with Arsenal slight favourites to beat Chelsea

'It's a big club with the same objectives. Because of that always comes a bit of rivalry. But for me no different when I was Inter manager or at Real with Atletico manager or Porto with Benfica managers.

'For me, achievement is win tomorrow. Not the other 12 matches we played against Arsenal. I don't look to numbers. I don't look at what I did against this manager or that club. It's not a problem for me. 

'I don't think the players even know. Unless they watched TV or read every paper. I don't think players look to these details. Each match has no relation to the previous one. I don't think they care.'