Mourinho reportedly sent the card to apologise for labelling Wenger "a voyeur" in another recent row.

But he was angry that a member of Arsenal's staff checked if he had in fact written it.

The Blues boss has sent Christmas cards to the other 19 Premiership bosses as well, but newspapers said Tuesday he had sent a special message to Wenger in an attempt to end their public feud.

Chelsea insiders claim Mourinho waited for Wenger before the kick-off on Sunday to shake his hand but was not acknowledged by his opposite number.

Arsenal are yet to respond in this latest chapter in the ongoing feud between the two London clubs.

Wenger recently threatened legal action after Mourinho said: "I think he is one of these people who is a voyeur. He likes to watch other people.

"There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families. He speaks, speaks, speaks about Chelsea."

Wenger was furious and Mourinho then claimed he had a 120-page dossier that proved his claims.

Wenger decided against taking legal action but the ill-feeling lingered on into Sunday's match at Highbury, which Chelsea won 2-0.