Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Juan Mata's possible move from Chelsea to Manchester United lacks 'fairness'. It is understood that the Spaniard will move to Old Trafford, with reports suggesting that the Blues have accepted a £40m offer from the Premier League champions.

However, Wenger believes it is unfair that Chelsea are selling Mata to United, particularly as the two clubs have played each other twice in the Premier League this season.

"I am surprised. Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent," Wenger said.
"Chelsea have already played twice against Man United, they could have sold him last week."I think if you want to respect the fairness for everybody, this should not happen."I can understand completely what Chelsea are doing, and they do not make the rules, but maybe the rules should be a bit more adapted for fairness."

Arsenal, who are two points ahead of third-placed Chelsea, could face Mata when United travel to the Emirates on February 12.

What do you think arsenal fans? Are you guys having the same opinion?No insults please..

Why is everybody always looking for excuses? Grow a pair, Wenger..

I wonder why wenger sold persie to united last season? We all knew united won the title mainly because they had van persie in the team, and of course, sir alex was still there, no doubt about that. but still persie played an important role

Arsene is right. I think it is all in Mourinho plan and perfect chance to get Rooney. They already played United twice and they are out of title race so Chelsea don't care about United anymore (this season). The United which Chelsea played was much weaker then if u imagine playing RVP, Rooney, Mata against Arsenal/City. Mou just hopes they will steal points from us and get the hands on the title this year.

@kambingku do you think Arsene sold him because of money? because he wanted? no
Mata is on bench so it's a great move for him and for Chelsea this year too. (I would like if Mata joined another league not to play against him)
The difference is Mata leaves when he wasn't the much USEFUL for Chelsea (Even I think he was!) but RVP left when Arsenal needed him the most.

Arsene Wenger: "I am surprised. Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent"

United likes buying total players, Berbatov, RVP now Mata

i mean, he sold persie to united, our main title rival last season. so why did he question chelsea's decision to sell mata to united this time? the truth is, there were 3 clubs who were interested in mata, psg, atletico madrid and united. but united gave the best offer, so they got mata..thats all.

maybe there is something behind the deal, you know mourinho is interested in rooney. i wont be surprised if rooney joins chelsea this summer.

but Wenger sold him in summer. Chelsea sold it now in January when they already played United twice. I'm telling you it United was in title challenge he won't do it. He did it because United can't hurt Chelsea this season. You get Rooney and United got now better chance to steal points from us/City that's great business for Chelsea this year..

"I am surprised. Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent," Wenger said.
"Chelsea have already played twice against Man United, they could have sold him last week."I think if you want to respect the fairness for everybody, this should not happen."I can understand completely what Chelsea are doing, and they do not make the rules, but maybe the rules should be a bit more adapted for fairness."

There is just no argument to debunk this. He's right whether you like it or not; it's a mere fact he's stating. Anyone who disagrees with this is just straight up delusional.
Also, Chelsea had a choice to sell Mata or not to sell him; but they'd have to use him if they don't sell him. Arsenal had no choice, sell him or let him rot on the bench because he obviously won't play as good after the fight with the manager.

Was just about to post this. What is Wenger's problem I don't understand, didn't he sell RVP to United ? Ashley Cole to Chelsea ? Adebayor to Manchester City ?

^ read it again... it's about it being midseason.

First off, I would like to say that I agree with the principle of what he's saying. It is an inherently flawed system. What's even worse is the loan system (but don't get me started on that).

For those who continue to use RVP as a counter argument, let me simplify the confusion:
-Wenger didn't want RVP to leave. He forced himself out by making a bing stink in the camp (players have insinuated this recently)
-Wenger tried to sell him elsewhere but RVP rejected the offers (remember the 2 clubs AND the player have to agree to a transfer).
-MOST IMPORTANTLY, he was sold in the summer transfer window which is an entirely different issue and not the object of debate here. In other words, it had no direct bearing on the current season.

Noone is denying that Chelsea have every right to sell Mata to whomever they wish. The Crux of the issue is mainly that Chelsea is manipulating the January transfer window to it's advantage by selling him to an oppent that they've already faced in the hope that he'll help to take points off of their direct title rivals. It is a matter of sporting principle; an ethical debate. One I actually find no fault with.

Oh, poor Wenger, it's not fair to do this because they already played against United twice, and what ? Is it prohibited to do this ? maybe it's a tactic from Mou and where's the problem if it's not prohibited to do this. Just try to win your next matches and stfu Wenger.

^ "What do you think arsenal fans? Are you guys having the same opinion?No insults please.."

@netsten So Mourinho is that afraid he needs to help others teams ? haha :)

Media is always taking Wenger's words and twisting them. He is not "whining" here, someone asked him a question and he answered it. And the argument is NOT only about mata and manu, he has been very consistent with his opinion on the january transfer window. You can go back to the fulham press conference, before this whole mata thing was known and he says the exact exact same thing. And like foota said, you can't argue against what he says, if you have a functional brain.

One thing that you can't take away from Wenger is that he is an upright man, who has strong beliefs when it comes to how football should be. To add to his managerial talent, he is a very respectable person.

And don't get me started on RVP (or Cole, or Adebayor, or Nasri), if you guys can't tell the difference between the two transfers it's a waste of time. Or maybe you're just here to have a dig at wenger, not to have a discussion.

Right on, KingHenry. Anyone can take a dig for a laugh (AlexBatak), but I'm sure even he can tell the difference.

Jose took full advantage of the situation. It's actually a great managerial move. There isn't much else to be said about this really. Will Mata's move be the catalyst for a top four comeback? Maybe. Is this transfer fair? I think so.

To back it up, Mr Wenger been talking about this issue for a long time not just recently or this season . Although , I think everything is fine the way it is and every club should use this to their advantage if they want . What is funny and do not take to close to your heart , Arsenal and City fans are worried . We take you both very seriously and we will do everything possible in the law brackets of football game to stop you from winning title this season :)))

He talked about this in many January transfer windows.

What I find interesting is that no one is talking about how Everton, Spurs, and Liverpool must feel about this. This move greatly strengthens United's chance at getting into the top 4 at the expense of those teams. I'm sure their fans and especially their mangement will be even more upset to hear about this than Arsenal. I really waned Everton to get into the top 4 this season too. Well, we'll see what happens.