Mauricio Pochettino si scusa dopo la sconfitta per 5-0 del Chelsea contro l’Arsenal | Calcio

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.

The performance from Chelsea represents a step backward 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, showed no energy, and didn’t compete, and in the second half, we started in the same way.

‘We were speaking a lot at halftime 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 ‘did not compete as a team’ against Arsenal (Reuters)

‘We didn’t compete as a team, that is clear. We are inconsistent for various reasons.

‘To start the game the way we did 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 we started was really painful, and I feel so disappointed because if we want to compete, not only do we have to go there and play football, we need more energy and focus.

‘That is the most difficult thing to explain.’

Mauricio 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 affected after this result, but the problem is realizing before when you’re preparing for the game, if you want to compete, you need to realize that it’s a London derby.

‘All I can say is I apologize to the fans, I apologize 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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