Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has dispelled claims Branislav Ivanovic has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge following reports that he will wait until the new year before deciding whether to offer the defender a new contract.
Ivanovic has been below-par by his high standards this season and did not feature in Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday night as Chelsea kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Chelsea's clash with Arsenal on Saturday, the Portuguese said there is no criticism of Ivanovic from him, adding he doesn't separate individuals from the team.
Mourinho also gave his backing to club captain John Terry, who also did not play in midweek, before delivering a cryptic broadside to the media.
"Normally when bad results happen the first thing that comes into your laptops, iPads and pens is to find a dramatic story," he said.
"Somebody punches somebody in the dressing room, the manager doesn't want to speak with this guy.
"Diego Costa fought with John Terry and before they started the fight they brought a translator. They organise it like a Wild West duel.
"The direction you don't go is the direction which is real. When you lose matches, you lose confidence."
Eden Hazard missed a penalty in the early stages of Wednesday's Champions League win but Mourinho laughed off the Belgian's miss, insisting he will remain his first-choice penalty-taker.
"Maybe it was an agreement he did with some sponsor to promote the Rugby World Cup," he said.
"He's the best penalty taker in this country too. If he's the best, the ball is on the spot. He is my first option.
"We shouldn't worry too much about it because we know he doesn't have many chances to take penalties."
The Chelsea boss also confirmed Willian will be unavailable for the visit of Arsenal and said fellow attacking midfielders Oscar and Pedro are also doubts for the game. Striker Radamel Falcao is also an injury concern for Chelsea.
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