After Sunday’s dismal defeat to Arsenal, Chelsea put out a performance that left a lot to be desired, with The Athletic’s Liam Twomey not shy in calling the Blues out.
Taking to his Chelsea post-match discussion fan forum, Twomey expressed his annoyance in watching the side falter to such a dismal and lacklustre defeat.
The Athletic reporter said: “Well, I’m struggling to recall a more thoroughly demoralising Chelsea performance in virtually all aspects. In contrast with some of the self-inflicted losses to Arsenal in recent years, here they were simply better – with the ball, without the ball, physically, tactically.
“In the end horrendous defending from a corner was the only difference, but Arsenal were very good value for the win. Chelsea clearly aren’t anywhere near full strength right now, but this was a reminder of how far away they are from Premier League contending standard.”
Twomey was clearly not content with any part of Chelsea’s performance against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side, and it’s easy to see why.
The Blues were outdone in the possession rankings and failed to threaten the Gunners, who nullified them through some sensational ‘rest defence’, which is the way in which the possession structure functions in mitigating turnovers of the ball.
Essentially, if you lose the ball, how quickly and effectively can you get it back?
Arsenal were too strong in this sense for Chelsea. Though, many would argue that Potter’s consistency in changing his squad and the respective system will not have helped with this in the slightest.
Twomey conceded that the Gunners “were simply better” and that the performance served as a reminder “of how far away they are from Premier League contending standard.”
The Athletic reporter is clearly unhappy with the way in which Potter set up his team, in what served as a rather coy blow of steam in the direction of the Chelsea boss.
