Jose Mourinho has admitted that he personally stepped in to prevent Demba Ba's move to Arsenal on deadline day.

The Senegalese striker, who is out of favour under Mourinho, seemed certain of leaving Chelsea at one point on Monday before the deal was halted.

Mourinho has admitted that he took the decision to stop Arsenal from getting Ba after he realized their signing of Mesut Ozil would make them title contenders.

According to many newspapers, Mourinho who rates Ozil as the best No 10 in the world, said: "I did not accept Arsenal's offer for Demba Ba because added to their signing of Ozil, they would have been title contenders."