Following Chelsea’s devastating 5-0 loss to Arsenal, Mauricio Pochettino openly admitted that his team “gave up” during the game. He expressed disappointment in the way his players started the match, as well as in their lackluster performance in the second half. Pochettino highlighted the importance of maintaining a fighting spirit throughout the game and mentioned that the team seemed to lose hope after conceding two quick goals.
Despite the dismal display by Chelsea, Pochettino defended his players by drawing parallels to some of the game’s greats who had similar off days. He mentioned his experience playing alongside the likes of Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Gabriel Batistuta and recalled instances where even these legendary players had moments of defeat and surrender. Pochettino attributed Chelsea’s poor performance to various factors, including the strength of the opponent, lack of energy, and a general inability to find positives during the game.
The defeat against Arsenal marked Chelsea’s heaviest loss in a London derby since 1986, highlighting the magnitude of the defeat. With 11 losses already in the season, Chelsea now face a tough challenge in qualifying for European competitions. Pochettino emphasized the inconsistency in Chelsea’s performances, noting that the team displayed extremes in their gameplay where they were either exceptional or extremely poor. He stressed the need for sustained standards, especially on bad days, to avoid such humiliating defeats in the future.
Arteta’s Support for Pochettino
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, extended his support to Mauricio Pochettino following the game, referring to him as a “father figure” due to their shared history at Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta acknowledged the tough situation Pochettino was in and praised the work he had been doing with the team. He expressed confidence in Pochettino’s abilities and hoped for a turnaround in Chelsea’s fortunes in the upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, Chelsea are scheduled to face Aston Villa in their next match, while Arsenal will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. Both managers emphasized the importance of focusing on their respective games and doing their best to secure positive results. Arteta highlighted the need to stay vigilant and await the outcomes of Liverpool and Manchester City’s matches to determine their standing in the league.
Chelsea’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of football and the need for consistent performance at the highest level. Mauricio Pochettino and his players will need to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and work towards improving their standards to avoid similar setbacks in the future. The support from fellow managers like Mikel Arteta serves as a reminder of the camaraderie and respect within the football community, even in the face of defeat.
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