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LONDON. — Arsene Wenger has hit back at Jose Mourinho after his claims Arsenal “left their philosophy in the dressing room” in Sunday’s Community Shield win.

The Frenchman finally buried his hoodoo with his bitter rival at the 14th attempt as the Gunners saw off Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley in the season’s traditional curtain-raiser. After a battling display, Mourinho countered as well as suggesting the Blues opponents “10 players behind the ball all the time” to win. But speaking afterwards, Wenger defended his side’s actions.

“We abandoned nothing. We defended because maybe it was a psychological hurdle Chelsea had in my players’ heads,” he said.

“They were more concerned once we were 1-0 up to protect our lead than to play. We have to accept that. I’m proud of that.”

Mourinho and Wenger’s bitter feud plunged to new depths as both avoided shaking hands at full-time once more.

Wenger was in the spotlight at full-time twice — first when he walked down the tunnel and then when he appeared to swerve a potential handshake with his fierce enemy as the Blues boss congratulated Arsenal’s players for their victory.

Mourinho said: “I was doing what the status of my club and my status as a manager I think I have to do for myself and the club which is to be there for the winners, to wait for them in a point that you only miss me if you want to miss me.

“Every Arsenal player came in my direction which was the easiest thing to do because I was just there and if other people didn’t come in my direction that is not a problem, not a story and not the end of the world and I gave no more problem on that.

“I did my job, the job that my club deserves me to do and the status as a manager when I lose a charity shield or any trophy.”

Wenger played down the rift, saying: “I shook a few hands today. Nothing special there. I believe in a job where you have to respect people.”

Mourinho also accused the Arsenal boss of abandoning his philosophy by parking the bus after going 1-0 up.

He said: “We were the best team. We controlled the game by having ball possession. Arsenal defended with 10 players, they put everybody in front of their own line.”

But Wenger believes his players overcame a big psychological hurdle by beating Chelsea in Sunday’s Community Shield. The Gunners had not beaten a Blues side managed by Jose Mourinho in 13 previous attempts. — The Mirror.