LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri labelled his players mentally weak and difficult to motivate after losing 2-0 at Arsenal in a toothless performance on Saturday (Jan 19).
The Gunners blew the race for a top-four Premier League finish wide open as first-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny closed Arsenal and Manchester United, who beat Brighton earlier in the day, to within three points of Chelsea in fourth.
"I'm extremely angry, very angry indeed. This defeat was due to our mentality more than anything else, our mental approach. We played against a team more determined than we were and I can't accept that," said Sarri, who spoke in his native Italian as he wished to send a message to his players.
"The fact is it appears this group of players is extremely difficult to motivate."
On current form Sarri's men look likely to be caught by Arsenal or United as a fourth defeat in 11 league matches underlined the need for the signing of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus, which is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Chelsea enjoyed 64 per cent possession, but had just one shot on target to again question Sarri's decision to start without a recognised striker with Eden Hazard's impact limited in a central role, even against an Arsenal defence that had kept just one Premier League clean sheet since September.
However, Sarri insisted it was his players' attitude and not his system that was the problem.
"I think when you see this kind of game, when one team is more determined than the other, you can't really talk about tactics," he added.
"From a technical point of view both teams are on the same level, but they were more determined. Tactics don't come into it. Their high level of motivation was obvious throughout, particularly in both penalty areas."
Â
By contrast, Arsenal boss Unai Emery's selection was vindicated as Mesut Ozil was left on the bench for the full 90 minutes and a switch to a 4-4-2 allowed Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to form a potent partnership up front.
Aubameyang should have opened the scoring after just five minutes when perfectly picked out by Lacazette's low cross, but dragged his shot wide.
Kepa Arrizabalaga then produced a brilliant save to deny Koscielny from point-blank range, but it counted for little as from the resulting corner Arsenal took a deserved lead.
Lacazette did well to stay on his feet as he skipped past Marcos Alonso and Pedro Rodriguez before smashing the ball past Kepa at his near post.
Chelsea's start was horribly reminiscent of a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham in November that began their decline in recent months after a fine start to Sarri's reign.
However, Arsenal's defence remained vulnerable when put under pressure and Pedro could have levelled when his lob over Bernd Leno shaved the outside of the post.
Aubameyang came close again, this time in spectacular fashion with an overhead kick that flew inches wide with Kepa beaten.
Yet, Chelsea were repeatedly caught out by Arsenal's well-worked set-pieces and paid for it again, albeit in fortunate fashion for the Gunners, six minutes before the break.
Sead Kolasinac headed down Lucas Torreira's free-kick into the path of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and his cross picked out the unmarked Koscielny.
The French defender mistimed his header, but the ball bounced in off his shoulder for his first goal since the Arsenal captain ruptured his Achilles in April.
Chelsea could have got a foothold in the game before half-time as David Luiz's header came back off the post.
But in keeping with so many of their performances of late, Chelsea created little thereafter despite dominating possession.
Olivier Giroud was given a warm welcome back to the Emirates when he entered as a substitute, but even with the French international as a focal point, the visitors failed to threaten.
Sarri will hope Higuain, who scored 38 goals when the pair first worked together at Napoli in the 2015/16 season, is the answer.
Sunday's match comes 15 years after he also played for Portugal in a final on home soil, when they lost 2-1 at home to Greece in the decisive match of Euro 2004. Ronaldo himself told UEFA's website that his preparation and work ethic had helped him defy his age. "I still feel good," he said.
Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several
Substitute striker Javier Hernandez scored a late brace including a stoppage-time winner to help West Ham United beat Huddersfield Town 4-3. Home football; it late to see off spirited
West Ham leave it late to see off spirited Huddersfield
Ex-FAS gen sec Lee withdraws from AFC exco contest. Related Articles. 1 min ago. 0 .
Zainudin bin Nordin, Member of the Bishan-Toa Payoh Group
Spain wasteful but Enrique happy with chances created
Gattuso has made many mistakes but let's not forget the squad he has.Milan failed to address their biggest problem which was the absence of a top left winger to take pressure of Suso.They even
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho says his team will 'fight like animals' to retain their Premier League crown. City lead Liverpool at the top of the table by a single point after their 2
Premier League: Man City claim second successive title
The end of Ramadan marks the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr (feast after fasting) on which celebrations are held, typically for three days. Eid commences on the sighting of the Shawwal (tenth month of the Hijri calendar) crescent moon,when the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan conclude after sunset.
Morning Stories Roundup: Ancient Sua Tree in Hanoi to be
Jan 01, 2019 · Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham's win at Cardiff gives us title belief This article is more than 3 months old • 'A massive three points to make us believe that little more'
Tottenham Hotspur news: Mauricio Pochettino hails 'massive
Real Madrid take top spot from Man United in 'money league' Real Madrid have knocked Manchester United off the top of Deloitte's Football Money League, but the Premier League still flexed
Real Madrid take top spot from Manchester United in 'money
Football: Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will travel with the rest of their squad for their FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion having nearly recovered from a hamstring injury, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday (April 5).
Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup
Real Madrid edge past Real Betis to climb into the La Liga top four with a first win in three matches. Real Madrid earn late win at Real Betis They are behind third-placed Sevilla on goal
Sevilla keep pressure on Atletico with vital win over Celta
David de Gea is adamant Manchester United are not "satisfied" with their situation despite winning eight games in a row because the Premier League title is out of reach.
Man United not 'satisfied' despite winning run, says De Gea
0 comments:
Post a Comment