Are you disappointed with today’s performance?
“Of course, it always is to lose a game like we did. We huffed and puffed I thought, but I think you could see the difference between the two teams in terms of confidence, in terms of points they’ve got, in terms of their structure and work together.
"We’re not in a fantastic moment as we speak and in the end, as much as it’s not nice to say, I think Arsenal deserved to win the game and were the better team overall. We have to take that and use it as motivation to improve.”
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Is that gap down to confidence and belief at the moment rather than quality?
“I don’t think it’s one thing. Clearly confidence is higher [for Arsenal]. They’ve got the points, got off to a really good start and have been working together for three years or so. They have an understanding of each other. We’re at the start of our process and have had a few problems with injuries to key players that they’ve managed to steer clear of. So lots of things, it’s not one simple solution unfortunately.”
It looked as if the players didn’t know what they were meant to be doing?
“I don’t think that’s true.”
It was all Arsenal possession?
“I think that’s fair but you have to say that Arsenal are ahead of us in terms of how they have been working together. They have more points, they have got a good confidence and structure. As I said in my first answer, you have to say that’s fair. Our players…we had an idea of what we wanted to do but we couldn’t execute it and the opponent was good.”
Do you regret playing Mason Mount against Dinamo Zagreb as he didn’t look himself today?
“Well, we looked at the game from a training perspective and I speak with Mason, he likes to play and by in the rhythm of playing games. Always you can reflect after the event about making a different decision, but Mason likes to play and be in that rhythm.”
Is the lack of chance creation a problem you need to fix?
“Yeah, of course. Again, there are two teams on the pitch and I think Arsenal defend well, press well, and make it difficult for you to create chances. That’s what the top teams do and Arsenal are a top team at the moment. I don’t like to say that but it’s probably the reality. When that is the case, we need to do better in terms of how we create chances because otherwise you’re zooming in on individuals and it’s a team issue.”
Why don’t you think you’re creating enough?
“As I said, if the opponent does things well, they pressed well…we had some opportunities in terms of three-vs-three and four-vs-fours in the final third but that lacked that last pass. If I am looking at how we build our attacks generally, we not as fluid and in as good a place as I would like us to be. There are lots of reasons for that but clearly that is where we have to improve as well.”
Are you looking at the World Cup break as coming at quite a good time, especially with getting players back from injuries?
“That will help us. We will have two or three key players back and a couple of other ones closer to being back. That is just how it’s been. We’ve had a bit of a perform storm in terms of lots of games and injuries along the way. We have to deal with that and focus on how we can improve the team. As you can see today, there is work to do.”
How is Ben Chilwell after being ruled out of the World Cup and is there a timeframe on his return?
“He’s disappointed as you can imagine. It’s a blow to him. He is going to miss the World Cup which is bad news for any player. There is no timescale, we just have to help him get fit, help him be strong, and be ready for when he is right.”
Is there a mental aspect to that as well?
“We have to look after him as we do all our players. It is blow and we’ve tried to manage Ben and the minutes he has had, in terms of not playing him too often and making sure the progression is there. In the end, it’s a blow for him and a blow for us. We have to make sure he is right, fit and strong.”
Did you feel Bukayo Saka dived in the first half?
"I think there was one action that was a little bit contentious shall we say but I don’t think he is that type of player.
That was Mikel Arteta's 150th game and you’ve seen the progression, do Chelsea supporters or the club need to be patient?
"It's not for me to say, it is up to you guys to make the assessments. A lot has happened. I've had a lot to deal with. I am sure if you look at the Arsenal story and where they are now from one year ago that there's a difference. I am sure at times Mikel got pelters and that's how it is - that's the job and life and we have to deal with that."
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