MX23RW : Thursday, October 31 23:25:56| >> :120:4416:4416:
[monks data]
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 36
May 12, 2021 at 8.15pm UK
Stamford Bridge
Arsenal logo

Chelsea
0 - 1
Arsenal

FT(HT: 0-1)
Smith Rowe (16')
Partey (90+4')

Thomas Tuchel accepts responsibility for Chelsea defeat

Thomas Tuchel accepts responsibility for Chelsea defeat
© Reuters
Emile Smith Rowe struck the winner at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel shouldered the blame for Chelsea’s minds wandering to Saturday’s FA Cup final in Wednesday’s 1-0 Premier League loss to Arsenal.

Jorginho’s miscued back-pass left the out-of-position Kepa Arrizabalaga scrambling to parry off his own line, allowing Emile Smith Rowe to slot home the winner at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea saw a Christian Pulisic effort chalked off for offside after a video assistant referee review, while Rob Holding escaped punishment for blocking Mason Mount’s shot with his hand on the goalline.

Kurt Zouma and Olivier Giroud struck the bar within seconds of each other at the death, but the Blues could not force a breakthrough and slumped to just their third defeat in 26 matches under Tuchel.

The frustrated German was sorely tempted to label Chelsea unlucky – but insisted instead he must carry the can for making seven changes ahead of the FA Cup final against Leicester.

“You can say now, it’s an easy one to say, that this is a totally lucky win and nobody can argue with that, because it’s not a deserved win for Arsenal,” said Tuchel.

“But I don’t want to go there because … we all lacked concentration today, we lacked focus. That is very unusual.

Christian Pulisic heads over
Chelsea missed a host of chances (Adam Davy/PA)

“And maybe I gave some signals to the team with changes that Saturday is on my mind.

“Even if it’s one per cent or five per cent, this is not how we approach things, because you get punished. It’s hard to swallow, hard to accept, but there’s no other way.”

Asked if the Jorginho-Kepa mistake had proved pivotal, Tuchel continued: “Of course, and maybe, I don’t know if we should have got a penalty for handball in front of the line to save a clear goal.

“It was not even checked, then you concede a goal like this and you cannot score from biggest chances.

“But in the end we were not on the pitch with the same energy, not easy to come up with big intensity with same passing.

“We were not sharp enough, not with same energy, hunger, attitude, and like we used to play. And so it’s on us. It was totally unnecessary but it’s the reality.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hailed the Gunners’ first Stamford Bridge win in a decade, insisting his side have not given up hope of qualifying for Europe next term.

“It’s been 10 years since we’ve won here, so this is a really important result for the club, the fans and players,” said Arteta.

“The players showed how much they mean it, how much spirit and attitude there is in the group, and how much they care about it.

“Probably it is important to show it for the outside world, but they don’t have to show me anything about how much they care, how much they work and try. But probably for the outside, it was a big message.

“Europe is still mathematically possible, so we have to keep giving ourselves the last chance while it’s possible.”

ID:447193:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6291:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Thomas Tuchel

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!