Jose Mourinho responds to reports he held talks with Arsenal over becoming next boss

Joe Mourinho was asked on Friday about reports he had talks with Arsenal over replacing Unai Emery before taking the Tottenham job.

Mourinho takes charge of his third game as Tottenham boss when his new team host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

Since taking the reins at Tottenham after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked, Mourinho has masterminded wins over West Ham in the Premier League and Olympiakos in the Champions League.

Had Arsenal moved faster in sacking Unai Emery, they might have been the ones giving Mourinho his latest Premier League managerial job.

But the 56-year-old Portuguese insists he had no conversations with the Gunners or their head of football Raul Sanllehi before taking the Tottenham job.

Jose Mourinho said he did not have talks with Arsenal about becoming the club's new manager (Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

"No. No," Mourinho said when asked whether he or his representative had met Sanllehi.

"Of course I never deny it because I never deny things. But when I was reading that I was in a meeting with Mr Sanllehi, it is not true."

Meanwhile, Mourinho said he doesn't care who the next Arsenal manager is - insisting he just wants to beat his new club's great rivals.

Names in the frame include interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta, Napoli's Carlo Ancelotti, Wolves chief Nuno Espirito Santo and former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

Mourinho said he would be happy to face Mauricio Pochettino - or whoever lands the Arsenal job (Getty Images)

It has also been suggested that Pochettino could be a contender, despite his five years with Arsenal's fierece north London rivals Tottenham.

But Mourinho said it does not matter to him who will face in the dugout.

"I never played against Pochettino in my life. Never," Mourinho told Goal .

" Manchester United against Tottenham, yes, Tottenham against Chelsea , yes, but never me against Pochettino.

"So if he goes to Arsenal, if he goes to I don't know which club, it will never be me against [him]. It will be me against these clubs.

"So yes, I look forward to playing against Arsenal; yes, I want to play against Arsenal. I know what it means for our fans.

"I know that one is a big one, not just because Arsenal is a big club that fights for the same objectives as we do, but also I know the meaning and I like it."

Arsenal are currently scheduled to visit Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, April 25.