The Gunners boss claimed the striker would miss last Saturday’s Emirates Stadium encounter, something Mourinho has since suggested were only mind games after the France international was named in the starting XI.
Wenger, though, insists he was not attempting to deceive anyone and that Lacazette was indeed a doubt, before a last-minute decision was made.
Wenger said: "I thought he [Lacazette] wouldn't play but in the end he could play.
"What did you want me to do, to leave him at home?
"I'm always honest. I thought he wouldn't play, that was I had been told and after he had a test on Friday morning he went to the game and we were not sure if he would play.
"But, he tried and he played. That's part of football."