Chelsea boss Tuchel rues lack of energy and focus after midfielder Jorginho’s blunder hands Arsenal 1-0 victory; defeat dents Blues’ English Premier League Top-4 chances
Chelsea’s Jorginho cuts a frustrated figure during their EPL match against Chelsea in London on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel admitted Chelsea’s 0-1 defeat against Arsenal was a wake-up call after Emile Smith Rowe punished Jorginho’s blunder to dent the Blues’ bid to finish in the English Premier League’s Top 4.
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Midfielder Jorginho was guilty of a woefully misplaced back-pass that ended with Gunners youngster Smith Rowe slotting home early in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe (right) celebrates with teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after scoring against Chelsea. Pic/AFP
Blues bereft of quality
Tuchel’s side were bereft of quality in the final third as they succumbed to only a third defeat in their 26 matches in all competitions. Chelsea remain in fourth place, but their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a Top 4 finish is now on a knife edge.
They sit six points clear of fifth placed West Ham, who have a game in hand, and seven ahead of sixth placed Liverpool, who could be the biggest threat with two games in hand. “I don’t know how Arsenal would have scored if we didn’t give it to them. We scored more or less an own goal, a total gift,” Tuchel said.
“We were not sharp enough, not the same energy as usual. I’m not happy with what I saw. It was maybe too many changes from the last match and I take full responsibility for that. Maybe it’s the last wake-up call for all of us.”
Thomas Tuchel
Chelsea’s tepid display was hardly ideal preparation for their attempt to win the first trophy of Tuchel’s reign in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Leicester at Wembley.
Arteta pleased
Eighth-placed Arsenal’s first league double over Chelsea since 2003-04 was a rare bright spot in a turbulent season. “I’m very pleased, we haven’t won here in 10 years so it’s very good to get the result,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
“When you come here against Thomas Tuchel you will suffer, it’s not realistic to come here and think you will play them off the park.”
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