Wenger thinks Chelsea were tough on Benitez…
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spoken about his opposite manager Rafa Benitez ahead of Tuesday’s crunch Champions League tie against Napoli.
Benitez managed Chelsea as interim boss last season, helping them win the Europa League, and winning round many fans who were originally angry over his appointment.
Benitez used to manage Liverpool of course, and once made derogatory comments about Chelsea’s fans, before a Champions League tie.
“People were tough with him because they didn’t expect him to go to Chelsea but he did very well. He dealt well with it,” said Wenger on the new Napoli boss.
“In the end, with time going on people will realise that he did well,” continued Wenger.
“He (Benitez) is a top class manager and he has proven that.
“When you are confronted by his teams, you know that it will always be difficult.”
Benitez’s Napoli side currently sit second in Serie A on 16 points from six matches, following the arrival of impressive summer recruits Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon among others.
Arsenal similarly are flying in the Premier League, having won their past five matches, picking up fifteen points from five matches.
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