Shell-shocked Mourinho gets welcome boost

AFP, LONDON: Petr Cech insists shell-shocked Arsenal will make amends for their Champions League meltdown by winning this weekend's north London derby, while troubled Jose Mourinho has received a welcome boost from midweek hero Willian ahead of Chelsea's tricky trip to Stoke.
Arsene Wenger's side suffered a potentially fatal blow to their chances of making the last 16 in Europe's elite club competition after crashing to a dismal 5-1 loss against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The Gunners' joint-heaviest European defeat leaves them in severe danger of missing the knockout stages for the first time in 16 years.
But veteran goalkeeper Cech knows they have a chance to erase those painful memories when they return to Premier League action against arch rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Mourinho will remain firmly in the spotlight when Chelsea visit Stoke on Saturday, even though the beleaguered Blues boss won't actually be at the Britannia Stadium.
The 52-year-old isn't allowed any contact with his team as he serves a one-match stadium ban following his half-time dismissal at West Ham last month.
It will be fascinating to see how Chelsea's players respond to Mourinho's temporary absence given the numerous reports of a dressing room mutiny against the manager.

Shell-shocked Mourinho gets welcome boost

AFP, LONDON: Petr Cech insists shell-shocked Arsenal will make amends for their Champions League meltdown by winning this weekends north London derby, while troubled Jose Mourinho has received a welcome boost from midweek hero Willian ahead of Chelseas tricky trip to Stoke. Arsene Wengers side suffered a potentially fatal blow to their chances of making the last 16 in Europes elite club competition after crashing to a dismal 5-1 loss against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The Gunners joint-heaviest European defeat leaves them in severe danger of missing the knockout stages for the first time in 16 years. But veteran goalkeeper Cech knows they have a chance to erase those painful memories when they return to Premier League action against arch rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Mourinho will remain firmly in the spotlight when Chelsea visit Stoke on Saturday, even though the beleaguered Blues boss wont actually be at the Britannia Stadium. The 52-year-old isnt allowed any contact with his team as he serves a one-match stadium ban following his half-time dismissal at West Ham last month. It will be fascinating to see how Chelseas players respond to Mourinhos temporary absence given the numerous reports of a dressing room mutiny against the manager.