LONDON: Jose Mourinho insists Chelsea's Premier League title defence is not being ripped apart by dressing room rifts.
Mourinho's side are languishing eight points behind leaders Manchester United after winning just two of their first seven league matches.
The Blues' latest slip came in the Champions League on Tuesday when they were beaten 2-1 by Mourinho's former club Porto.
But despite claims that Mourinho's decision to drop John Terry and several other stars has created an antagonistic atmosphere in the squad, the Blues boss is adamant there is no threat to the champions' unity.
"In here we speak openly. We criticise people without any kind of problems and no prima donnas crying," Mourinho said ahead of Saturday's game against Southampton.
"When you make a mistake you have to speak about it. You know what I call that, in football? Coaching.
"John is ready every game to play, even the ones I leave him on the bench, he's ready to play."
Per Mertesacker has challenged Arsenal to show more aggression as they look to recover from their latest European flop in Sunday's showdown with Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Arsene Wenger's side suffered an embarrassing 3-2 home defeat against Olympiakos in midweek that left them in severe danger of missing out on a place in the Champions League knock-out stages for the first time in 16 years.
Adding to the Gunners' humiliation was the horrendous blunder from goalkeeper David Ospina, who dropped a corner into his own net to gift the Greeks their second goal and in the process triggered a barrage of criticism of Wenger for his decision to rest regular first choice Petr Cech.
But Arsenal defender Mertesacker offered no excuses for his team's second successive European loss and admitted they must rediscover their fighting spirit to avoid another damaging defeat against in-form United.
"At home we should be much more aggressive from the start and be more dynamic. That is what our game is all about," Mertesacker said.
"When we play like we did (on Tuesday), with that lack of concentration and discipline, then we have got no chance.
"I think everyone will have regrets. It will take a couple of days to recover and to think about Manchester United, which will be a good opportunity to play our style of football again."
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