LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri labelled his players mentally weak and difficult to motivate after losing 2-0 at Arsenal in a toothless performance on Saturday (Jan 19).
The Gunners blew the race for a top-four Premier League finish wide open as first-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny closed Arsenal and Manchester United, who beat Brighton earlier in the day, to within three points of Chelsea in fourth.
"I'm extremely angry, very angry indeed. This defeat was due to our mentality more than anything else, our mental approach. We played against a team more determined than we were and I can't accept that," said Sarri, who spoke in his native Italian as he wished to send a message to his players.
"The fact is it appears this group of players is extremely difficult to motivate."
On current form Sarri's men look likely to be caught by Arsenal or United as a fourth defeat in 11 league matches underlined the need for the signing of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus, which is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Chelsea enjoyed 64 per cent possession, but had just one shot on target to again question Sarri's decision to start without a recognised striker with Eden Hazard's impact limited in a central role, even against an Arsenal defence that had kept just one Premier League clean sheet since September.
However, Sarri insisted it was his players' attitude and not his system that was the problem.
"I think when you see this kind of game, when one team is more determined than the other, you can't really talk about tactics," he added.
"From a technical point of view both teams are on the same level, but they were more determined. Tactics don't come into it. Their high level of motivation was obvious throughout, particularly in both penalty areas."
Â
By contrast, Arsenal boss Unai Emery's selection was vindicated as Mesut Ozil was left on the bench for the full 90 minutes and a switch to a 4-4-2 allowed Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to form a potent partnership up front.
Aubameyang should have opened the scoring after just five minutes when perfectly picked out by Lacazette's low cross, but dragged his shot wide.
Kepa Arrizabalaga then produced a brilliant save to deny Koscielny from point-blank range, but it counted for little as from the resulting corner Arsenal took a deserved lead.
Lacazette did well to stay on his feet as he skipped past Marcos Alonso and Pedro Rodriguez before smashing the ball past Kepa at his near post.
Chelsea's start was horribly reminiscent of a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham in November that began their decline in recent months after a fine start to Sarri's reign.
However, Arsenal's defence remained vulnerable when put under pressure and Pedro could have levelled when his lob over Bernd Leno shaved the outside of the post.
Aubameyang came close again, this time in spectacular fashion with an overhead kick that flew inches wide with Kepa beaten.
Yet, Chelsea were repeatedly caught out by Arsenal's well-worked set-pieces and paid for it again, albeit in fortunate fashion for the Gunners, six minutes before the break.
Sead Kolasinac headed down Lucas Torreira's free-kick into the path of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and his cross picked out the unmarked Koscielny.
The French defender mistimed his header, but the ball bounced in off his shoulder for his first goal since the Arsenal captain ruptured his Achilles in April.
Chelsea could have got a foothold in the game before half-time as David Luiz's header came back off the post.
But in keeping with so many of their performances of late, Chelsea created little thereafter despite dominating possession.
Olivier Giroud was given a warm welcome back to the Emirates when he entered as a substitute, but even with the French international as a focal point, the visitors failed to threaten.
Sarri will hope Higuain, who scored 38 goals when the pair first worked together at Napoli in the 2015/16 season, is the answer.
United Bank in Atmore, Alabama is a full service community bank offering personal and business accounts, loans, and trust/investment services. United Bank has served southeast Alabama and northwest Florida since 1904.
Personal & Business Bank in CT & MA | United Bank
Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry Awards for speaking out on a range of social issues, including
Raheem Sterling honoured with Integrity and Impact Award
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes the club have raised the standard of the Premier League just as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus did in golf and Usain Bolt did in athletics. City won the title last season with 100 points and this year could retain it with 98 if they win their final three games, starting with Burnley on Sunday.
Guardiola says City, Liverpool have set new Premier League
Tottenham are making quick progress towards the completion of their new stadium at White Hart Lane as they look to complete the lift of the roof in the coming weeks. Spurs want to return from
Liverpool hero makes bizarre Tottenham Hotspur Stadium claim
Football: Brazil soccer star Neymar accused of committing
worldsportstale.com/soccer/football-brazil-soccer-star-neymar-accused-of-committing-rape-in-paris-police-report/
06/03/2019 Comments Off on Football: Brazil soccer star Neymar accused of committing rape in Paris - police report SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - A woman has accused Brazil soccer star Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report seen by Reuters.
Neymar accused of committing rape in Paris, player responds
Football: Spanish LaLiga unaware of English Premier League interest in Javier Tebas. La Liga President Javier Tebas smiles during an interview in Madrid, Spain, on Oct 2, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS.
Spanish La Liga unaware of English Premier League interest in
Arsenal midfielder, Aaron Ramsey has agreed to join Juventus in a five-year-deal worth £36m. He will join Juve on a free transfer at the end of the season. The midfielder has been discussing a move for
Ramsey agrees five-year deal with Juve worth £36m - ForeTV Sports
How to Live Like a European. Europeans have characteristics that make them distinct from Americans. Whether it is the food, attitude, or activities, Europeans have a unique and full way of life that many people admire.
Minnow - Wikipedia
Buffon calls on PSG to show 'spirit of sacrifice', Football
Soccer Football - Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg - FC Porto v Liverpool - Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal - April 17, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after the match wit
Experienced Liverpool making a big statement: Juergen Klopp
Mauricio Pochettino believes that Tottenham Hotspurs next logical step in the process of development is to deliver titles. "We are going to have one of the best facilities in the world, the training ground with the new stadium," he told Sky Sports. "On the football side, all that we are building here will be in the same level.
Pochettino: Tottenham 5 10 years off title challenge as
global.espn.com/football/tottenham-hotspur/story/3784587/pochettino-tottenham-5-10-years-off-title-challenge-as-burnley-defeat-proved
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has said his side's defeat at Burnley showed they are not yet ready to challenge for the title, and that it could take another five years to instil the necessary mentality. Spurs had the chance to move within two points of the Premier League leaders on Saturday, but they slumped to a 2-1 loss. Editor's Picks
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Who should Mauricio Pochettino pick
Football: Qatar players cleared in eligibility row just
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer. to dethrone Manchester City as Premier League champions ended in of the table they are far ahead of the chasing pack," he said.
City and Liverpool leave chasing pack facing tough summer
FIFA Says in Regular Contact With AFC Over Detained Bahraini Player The Australian soccer players' union this week called on the AFC to intervene to help secure the release of Hakeem Al Araibi, who plays in Australia but was arrested in November in Bangkok on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain's request.
FIFA says in regular contact with AFC over detained Bahraini
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to seal a money-spinning move to Italian champions Juventus when his contract expires with the Gunners in the summer
Only Ronaldo will earn more: Arsenal star set to cash in with
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch the premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch champions league live streaming crictime
cpl 2018 live streaming watch caribbean premier league t20 2018
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch soccer online free streaming live english
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch english premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live app
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch champions league live streaming juventus
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch champions league live streaming kenya
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch soccer live streaming qatar
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming world
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch champions league draw live streaming free
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch soccer live stream app
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch soccer live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch usa soccer live stream
watch premier league live streaming free
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch soccer games live stream free app
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch soccer live - live football streaming
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch premier league live streaming zimbabwe
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch champions league live streaming video
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch coppa america live streaming in india
how to watch champions league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming yify
watch coppa america live streaming match
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch premier league live streaming live free
#battuteepiche #livestreams #freekick #footballmeme #calciatoribrutti #sixtimes #klopp #paulmcartney #vip #girlsniteout #valcea #championship #soccermemes #footballschedule #MSport #sumbertv #Fcb #24x7 #insegreto #pagani #cristiano #coyg #liverpool #arsenalnews #jadwalbolahariini #footballfans #elcasico #liverpoolfans #livesports #GarageCafeDxb #firmino #bundesliga #lfc #londoncity #soccer #villarealcf #livestreaming #arsenal #premierleague #neymar #risate #henderson #Barca #americanfootball #portsmouthfc #cr7 #football #goodday #bayernmunich #winner #footballdubai #copaamerica #freekicks #watchlive #visubal #england #Celtic #manchestercity #romania #thomasmeunier #streamingbolaid #liverpoolfc #433skills #arsenalfantv #oasisandbeatles #beatifulgame #Suarez #sunderlandafc #championsleague #hoffenhiem #juventus #chocolatecoffee #ignoranza #liverpoolcity #Vip45 #ballondor #frasitrap #coffeebreak #messi #zidane #salah #ucl #mancity #vandijk #coys #kopisusu #panini #champion #hotcoffee #petercrouch #bestshishacafedubai #fut
0 Comments