Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino did not mince words when assessing his team’s performance in their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal, asserting that they ‘did not compete’ with the Gunners. It took just four minutes for the north Londoners to take the lead on Tuesday night at the Emirates, with Leandro Trossard slotting in at the near post. Chelsea threatened occasionally on the break, but the best chances fell to Arsenal, who eventually added to their lead in the second half. Quick-fire goals from Ben White and Kai Havertz shortly after the restart put Mikel Arteta’s side in complete control, with that pair both bagging braces to record a massive victory. The result puts Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League table while Chelsea remain marooned in ninth place. Pochettino was far from happy with his team’s performance afterward, particularly their sloppy start to the second half. When asked what went wrong against Arsenal, Pochettino told TNT Sports: ‘Well, I think we started the game not so well. We conceded the goal, and then it was difficult for us to recover from this goal. ‘And then I think the team started to compete after 10 or 15 minutes. We were talking at halftime that we cannot approach the game and start the second half how we started the first half. ‘But we started again showing too little energy and did not compete in the way that we needed to compete, and then when we conceded the third goal, I think it was so easy for Arsenal to manage the game. ‘And for us, it was difficult to fight for an objective. And I think that describes the first 15 minutes of the game and the first 15 minutes of the second half. I think we lose the game in there.’ He continued: ‘You need to be clinical. Against Manchester City three days ago, I think we created many chances, but we didn’t convert, and we weren’t clinical. ‘Tonight the same thing happened. Such a difficult result, such a difficult performance because it’s not nice to see your team playing like this from the beginning of the game when you’re supposed to have full energy. ‘That is the inconsistency after three days after you play a fantastic game against Manchester City. Today we feel so disappointed with the game and with the performance.’ On playing without Cole Palmer at the Emirates, he added: ‘Today, more than the circumstances of losing Palmer and others, we didn’t compete from the beginning. ‘It was difficult to build the game against a team that is fighting for the Premier League. It’s not a coincidence that they are there. That’s why we need to be aware, and we need to compete in a different way.’
Pochettino Slams Chelsea’s ‘Inadequate’ Performance in Arsenal Rout
