A well-coached Arsenal side thrashed 11 individuals wearing the Chelsea jersey at Emirates. The Gunners ran riot in the second half of the match to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Leandro Trossard scored the first goal of the game in the fifth minute, and it looked like the floodgates were opened. However, Chelsea managed to keep control of the ball and make it to half-time without conceding another goal.
The visiting side were hoping for a comeback in the second half, but things took a turn for the worse. Ben White and Kai Havertz scored one after the other twice to make it 5-0 for the home side inside 70 minutes.
Nicolas Jackson had multiple chances in both halves to get Chelsea back in the game, but the striker failed to score and handed David Raya his 14th clean sheet of the season, leaving him just one away from the Golden Glove.
Mauricio Pochettino spoke about the game and admitted that his players gave up after the third goal. He added that they made things easier for the opponents as they were not aggressive enough and not fighting to find solutions.
He said:
“It’s not difficult to explain. Everyone saw we didn’t compete from the beginning of the game. After we conceded the team was so soft. I’m so disappointed with the start because we’re supposed to have full energy and compete better. We were not aggressive and we did not concentrate on situations where it is easy to find the solution. That is why I’m so disappointed.”
Pochettino added:
“We were talking at half-time to start in a different way. But we did not. When we conceded the third goal, the team gave up. It was tough on them. We competed really well against Manchester City, it was a fantastic game. But then we did not compete three days later. Maybe we were not fresh. It’s not fair to talk about the players we are missing. From the start of the season we have been missing so many players every single week. The team showed a lack of capacity to resist – that is what is the problem.”
Chelsea travel to face Aston Villa next in the Premier League before hosting Tottenham at home. Arsenal have the North London Derby against Spurs this weekend, before taking on Bournemouth, Manchester United and Everton in the final three games.
ALSO READ:
Arsenal vs Chelsea Player Ratings
Chelsea could face a 15-point deduction according to expert!
Didier Drogba’s message of support to Nicolas Jackson after recent performances
Tottenham vs Arsenal Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | Premier League
Aston Villa vs Chelsea will now kick-off at a different time