Mauricio Pochettino issues apology after Chelsea’s 5-0 defeat to Arsenal

Mauricio Pochettino issues an apology after Chelsea were hammered by Arsenal (Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino has issued an apology to Chelsea supporters after the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday evening.

Chelsea delivered another dismal display as two goals from Kai Havertz, a double from Ben White and an early strike from Leandro Trossard sealed a deserved win for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are now three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Chelsea’s performance represents a step backwards after their encouraging display in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi final last Saturday, and Pochettino is struggling to pinpoint the inconsistency from his players.

‘It’s difficult to explain,’ Pochettino told talkSPORT after Chelsea’s heaviest defeat in a London derby for nearly 40 years.

‘We started the first half in a very bad way, we showed no energy and we didn’t compete, and in the second half we started in the same way.

‘We were speaking a lot at half time trying to fix that situation, but it was so easy for Arsenal to score two goals in the second half.

Mauricio Pochettino admits his Chelsea players ‘didn’t compete like a team’ against Arsenal (Reuters)

‘We didn’t compete like a team, that is so clear. We are inconsistent for different reasons.

‘To start the game in the way that we started is not acceptable, that is the problem.

‘After 70/80 minutes, OK you are tired and don’t have the energy, but it was the start of the game.

‘The way that we started was really painful, and I feel so disappointed because if we want to compete, we don’t only have to go there and play football, we also have to have more energy and focus.

‘That is the most difficult thing to explain.’

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Pochettino also described Chelsea’s latest defeat as ‘painful’.

‘It’s damaging to the players, the club, the coaching staff, everything,’ Pochettino said.

‘Everyone is damaged after this result, but the problem is to realise before when you’re preparing for the game, if you want to compete, you need to realise that it’s a London derby.

‘All I can say is I apologise to the fans, I apologise to the people because I think the first and second [half] 15 minutes, 30 minutes in the game, we didn’t compete.

‘We were so soft, it’s so painful, so painful.’

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