CurrentReport Blog Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reflected on his team’s narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, expressing disappointment in the result. The Blues were undone by Mikel Merino’s first-half goal, which secured all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates Stadium.
In his post-match comments, Maresca admitted that while his team struggled in the first 20 minutes, they managed to regain control of the game, creating several chances in the opening half. “It’s a shame; we don’t like losing games, especially this kind of game. Overall, we struggled a bit in the first 20 minutes, but after that, we controlled the game and had some chances in the first half,” Maresca said.
The second half saw a more balanced affair, with both teams sharing possession, but Maresca pointed out that set-pieces ultimately decided the outcome. “The second half was 50-50. Unfortunately, the difference was set-pieces,” he added.
One of the key reasons for Chelsea’s offensive struggles, according to Maresca, was the absence of key attacking players. “If you think of the three players [Palmer, Jackson, Madueke] with the most goals for us, not one of them was on the pitch today. It’s normal that we struggled offensively.”
Despite the defeat, Chelsea remain in fourth place in the Premier League, showing resilience despite ongoing injury concerns. The Blues will look to bounce back after the international break, with a tough clash against Tottenham Hotspur awaiting them next.
Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal highlights the challenges they face in maintaining consistency, especially with key players missing. Fans will be hoping for a strong response as the team heads into their next Premier League fixture.
